Pilot's Curiosity Causes Near-Crash

Northern Advocate, 18 October 1947, Page 7

Pilot's Curiosity Causes Near-Crash

(Rec. 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 17. The Civil Aeronautics Board revealed today that the pilot's curiosity caused the American Airlines Skymaster, carrying 53 persons, to go into a partial outside loop near Dallas. Texas, on October 7.

Captain C. R. Sisto, who commanded the (light, wanted to know what would happen if he locked the plane’s controls in neutral. The board’s report said Sisto “decided to engage the rudder and elevator lock while in flight, to determine what action it would have on the control and attitude of the plane from a level flight.”

HURLED ABOUT I*LANE The Skymaster first began to climb, then pitched downwards, executed part of an outside loop and turned upside down before it was finally put back in level flight Passengers and luggage were hurled about the airliner’s cabin, several suffering minor injuries. Board officials said it is understood that Sisto, who has been employed by American Airlines for eight years, has resigned. Sisto was not actually flying the plane, but was sitting beside another pilot who was at the controls, but Sisto engaged the rudder and elevator lock without the pilot’s knowledge.

MID-ATLANTIC SEQUEL The board today grounded all aircraft of American International Airways,. whose flyingboat Bermuda Queemwas forced down in mid-Atlan-tic with 69 aboard. The board accused the company of “knowing and wilful violations of the Civil Aeronautics Act,” and ordered it temporarily to refrain from engaging in any form of air transportation. The chairman (Senator Owen Brewster) today ordered the Senate’s Aviation Sub-Committee to investigate the loss of the flyingboat Bermuda Queen. The National Mediation Board announced that American Overseas Air-' .lines pilots who have been on strike since September 30. will resume flying tomorrow.