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- At the time of departure from LaGuardia Field and at all intermediate stops between New York and Chicago, the gross weight of the airplane did not exceed the approved standard gross weight and its load was properly distributed.
- After arrival at Cleveland, the right engine was carefully inspected and checked by maintenance personnel of United and found to be in proper operating condition, which finding was concurred in Captain Scott.
- The difficulty with the right engine did not contribute in any way to the accident.
- At the time of departure from Cleveland for Chicago, the airplane carried sufficient fuel to permit flight at normal cruising speed to Chicago and thereafter for more than three hours.
- At 5:22 p.m., United 21 reported over the Chicago radio range station and cruised in that vicinity at the 5000 and 6000-foot levels until 5:33 p.m., when Captain Scott began his descent to the airport for a landing.
- The weather conditions existing at the airport were: Ceiling of 900 feet with low scattered clouds at 600 feet, visibility of one mile with light fog, occasional drizzle and light snow, wind from the north northwest of 8 to 10 miles per hour, and temperature of 32 degrees.
- Icing conditions existed to varying degrees in the overcast in the vicinity of the airport, including both rime and glaze type of ice, being especially pronounced at the 3000 and 4000-foot levels. These conditions were known to both the flight personnel of United 21 and United's dispatcher at Chicago.
