Sabotage Possibility

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 13

Sabotage Possibility

(K.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

CHICAGO, September 2. Sabotage had not been ruled oat aa a possible cause for the crash of a Trans World Airline Constellation, in which 78 people were killed, according to investigating oflteials. The airliner crashed yesterday morning in a cornfield near the Chicago suburb of Hindsale. There were no survivors. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency (Mr N. E Halaby) said at a press conference last night:

“We do not know the cause of this crash.” The safety director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (Mr Melvin Gough), who was also at the conference, was asked if sabotage was being considered. “We can’t afford to rule out anything.” he replied Mr Gough remarked it was significant that one piece of the airliner’s tail was 200 to 300 feet from the remainder of the wreckage. He said there was nothing so far to indicate that the aircraft had exploded In the air. It had hit the ground

at a very steep angle, raising the question of whether the pilot Mr James Sanders, wss trying to land. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is helping to Investigate the accident Tbe word "Roger,” meaning all was well, was the last message received from the airliner at Midway Airport control tower four minutes after take off. The four-engine aircraft, on the way to Los Angels* after stops In Boston. New York, Pittsburgh and Chicago, burned furiously after sinking into a rain* softened cornfield.