Departure and Initial Phase
Flight 542, operating N9705C, departed the ramp at Houston at 2237 local time, 22 minutes behind schedule. The delay was attributed to a mechanical discrepancy involving the No. 3 generator, which was inoperative upon the aircraft's arrival at Houston. Prior to departure, the Nos. 3 and 4 voltage regulators were interchanged. The actual gross weight at departure was calculated at 83,252 pounds, including 17,000 pounds of fuel, which was 16,548 pounds below the authorized gross weight of 99,800 pounds. The flight carried a total of 34 persons, comprising a crew of six: Captain Wilson Elza Stone, First Officer Dan Hollowell, Second Officer Roland Longhill, and Stewardesses Alvilyn Harrison, Betty Rusch, and Leona Winkler. None survived the accident.
En Route Communications
The flight was cleared under instrument flight rules to the Leona omni via Victor Airway 13 west to the Gulf Coast intersection, then direct to Leona, initially maintaining 2,300 feet until Gulf Coast, then climbing to 9,000 feet. At approximately 2240, clearance for takeoff was received, and the aircraft became airborne at 2244. Houston departure control established radar contact and requested the flight to report when established outbound on the 345-degree radial of the Houston omni. Flight 542 complied and was subsequently cleared to 9,000 feet and advised to contact San Antonio Center upon passing the Gulf Coast intersection. At 2251, the flight reported to company radio with a blocking-out time, takeoff time, and an intention to cruise at 15,000 feet when cleared, estimating arrival in Dallas at 2325. At approximately 2252, Flight 542 reported to San Antonio Center as being over the Gulf Coast intersection at 9,000 feet. The center then issued a destination clearance to Dallas via direct to Leona, direct to Trinidad, direct to Forney, direct to Dallas, with a cruising altitude of 15,000 feet. The flight acknowledged and climbed to its cruising altitude. The next transmission from Flight 542 gave the time over Leona as 05 at 15,000 feet. San Antonio Center acknowledged and requested the flight to switch to the Fort Worth frequency of 120.8 mcs. Shortly thereafter, Flight 542 contacted company radio with a message for maintenance, stating that the generators were now operating normally but that there had been insufficient time to insulate the terminal strip on the No. 3 propeller at Houston, requesting that this be done in Dallas. The flight also indicated a Dallas estimate of 25 and reported that the No. 3 sump pump was inoperative. This final transmission was logged as completed at 2307.
Final Moments and Wreckage
Structural failure of the aircraft occurred at approximately 2309, while the flight was en route to the next fix, Trinidad intersection. The radial from Leona omni to Trinidad intersection is 344 degrees. The main wreckage was located 19.7 miles north of the Leona omni, 3.19 miles east-southeast of Buffalo, Texas. The time of 2309 correlates closely with witness reports and with time indicated on impact-stopped watches recovered at the scene. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and all 34 occupants were killed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
Official investigation findings determined the probable cause of the accident to be structural failure of the left wing resulting from forces generated by undampened propeller whirl mode.