Captain Carson had accumulated a total of 12,607 hours pilot time including 595 hours in DC-7B aircraft; had passed a line check on April 13, 1964, and an en route inspection on June 14, 1964.
First Officer Edward R. Dunn, age 41, held commercial pilot certificate No. 1337352 with airplane single-multi-engine land instrument, L-188, 1049, and DC-6/7 ratings. He was employed by Eastern Air Lines on June 18, 1956. His last first-class medical certificate was issued on January 14, 1965, with no waivers. Mr. Dunn had accomplished a total of 8,550 hours pilot time including 2,750 hours in DC-7B aircraft.
Flight Engineer Douglas C. Mitchell, age 24, held flight engineer certificate No. 1594733 and commercial pilot certificate No. 1399507 with airplane single and multi-engine land and instrument ratings. He was employed by Eastern Air Lines on September 23, 1963, and had a total of 407 pilot hours and 141 hours flight engineer time. His last proficiency check in DC-7B equipment was satisfactorily accomplished on January 4, 1965. His latest first-class medical certificate was issued on July 7, 1964, with no waivers.
Flight Attendants Linda A. Lord and Judith A. Durkin were both trained to serve as crewmembers on DC-7B aircraft.
The crew of EAL 663 had flown 1 hour and 16 minutes, and had been on duty 3 hours and 11 minutes during the day of the accident.
1.6 Aircraft Information
Eastern Air Lines records reveal that DC-7B, N849D, manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation on May 1, 1958, was delivered to Eastern Air Lines, Inc., Miami, Florida, on May 15, 1958, with 9:05 hours on the aircraft.
Maintenance records indicated that N849D was inspected and maintained in accordance with the standards set forth by the Federal Aviation Agency. There were no recurring discrepancies noted in the aircraft records. The gross weight of the aircraft at takeoff was 104,799 pounds. The maximum allowable takeoff gross weight was 126,000 pounds. The center of gravity was within allowable limits.
The engines were being operated on 115-145 octane gasoline.
1.7 Meteorological Information
The U. S. Weather Bureau at JFK reported the weather at 1838 to be: scatters clouds at 12,000 feet; high thin broken clouds; visibility 7 miles; and the wind from 250 degrees at 7 knots. The temperature was 46 degree F, the dewpoint 43 degree F, and the altimeter was 30.06.
The accident occurred during the hours of darkness. Air crews and ground witnesses in the vicinity at the time of the accident stated that no moon or stars were visible. Additionally, crewmembers of aircraft which were headed in the same direction as EAL 663 (south) stated that it was completely dark in that direction with no apparent horizon.
