500 feet below the base of an overcast. In this instance it could be determined how far the two aircraft were below the base of the overcast
From the reported attitude of the two aircraft shortly before the collision and from the manner in which they came together, it is concluded that the Boeing pilot saw the DC3 and started a diving left turn in an effort to avoid it. As the two aircraft were on intersecting courses with the Boeing to the right of the airliner, the training plane had right-of-way according to Civil Air Regulations. However, this did not relieve its pilot of his responsibility to be alert to other traffic. Neither of the DC3 pilots was sufficiently alert to other traffic as evidenced by their testimony that the Captain was tuning the radio and the First Officer was watching ground objects just prior to the collision.
Based on the evidence acquired during the investigation and hearing. the Board finds that:
1. Both aircraft and all three pilots were properly certificated.
2 A haze prevailed which reduced horizontal invisibility with increase in altitude.
3) None of the three pilots were sufficiently alert to other traffic.
4) The two aircraft were on intersecting courses and the Boeing, to the right of the DC3, had right-of-way according to Civil Air Regulations.
5) Just before the collision the Boeing pilot attempted to avoid the airliner by altering his flight path downward and to the loft.
6) Almost simultaneous with the collision the DC3 pilot attempted to avoid the other plane by turning to the loft.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Upon the basis of the foregoing the Bosid determines that the probablo cause of this accident was lack of vigilance on the part of the pilots of both aircraft. Reduced horizontal visibility may have been a contributing factor,
BY THS CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD；
/s/ L. WELCH FOGUE
/s/ HARLLEE BRANCH
/s/ OSWALD RYAN
/s/ JOSH LEE
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