United Flight 823

17_december_1971_airworthiness_directive_71-21-5_via_hughes_aircraft

2014-01-31T15:28:21+00:00

Airworthiness Directive 71-21-5

a_can_of_paint_modifier

2013-05-08T21:31:35+00:00

The Can Of Paint Modifier My experience with reading the various reports with regard to United Flight 823 is that they have been to the point and not too difficult to understand. Having had no background in aviation; some of the terminology and abbreviations, at first, were alien to me. However, the useful tool of the Internet has gone a long way in assisting me to make adequate judgments on prioritizing and making decisions as to how the matter of United Flight 823 should be presented. I can …

a_can_of_paint_modifier_part_ii

2014-02-22T13:44:41+00:00

A Can Of Paint Modifier Part II The can of paint modifier makes an additional appearance in the late Robert J. Serling's book, Loud & Clear. Serling's book was first written in 1970. I recently purchased a paperback copy of a revised edition. Nine pages of the book deal with United Flight 823. The pages that have to do with United Flight 823 are Page 346 through Page 355.

a_can_of_paint_modifier_part_iii

2014-11-30T02:39:38+00:00

A Can Of Paint Modifier Part III From Civil Aeronautics Board Aircraft Accident Report Page Nine: Another source of flammable fluid known to have been aboard the aircraft was a one-gallon can containing a commercial paint modifier. This can was recovered in the wreckage area, crushed with no evidence of fire damage to either the can or its paper wrapping.

a_hypothesis

2016-06-09T11:02:23+00:00

A Hypothesis My New Oxford Shorter English Dictionary defines hypothesis as “a proposition put forward merely as a basis for reasoning or argument, without any assumption of its truth”. I don't mind using this definition to describe the work I have done so far, however there are things we do know for certain regarding events of July 9, 1964.

additional_documents_needed

2013-07-10T01:08:59+00:00

Looking For These Documents

advisory_circular_ac_00-33

2014-06-01T19:17:23+00:00

Advisory Circular AC 00-33

airworthiness_directive_71-21-5

2014-01-31T15:32:09+00:00

Airworthiness Directive 71-21-5

battery_and_external_power_circuit

2014-08-17T18:28:37+00:00

before_going_further

2014-09-06T11:37:32+00:00

Before Going Further I would be remiss if I did not mention the great deal of respect I have for those individuals who investigated the crash at Parrottsville-whether they participated on the ground at the crash site or whether they were part of the various teams that conducted tests in laboratories, etc.

capital_airlines_viscount_pilot_s_handbook

2014-01-29T19:14:06+00:00

Capital Airlines Viscount Pilot's Handbook Section 2 Part 10 Electrical Source Fire When an electrical fire of any kind is noted, or the odor of burning insulation is detected, it becomes desirable to deactivate as many electrical circuits as possible and still be able to fly the airplane and navigate. It is impossible to extinguish an electrical fire until power to that circuit has been severed, and it is for this reason that an

captain_oliver_e._sabatke

2012-04-07T23:30:49+00:00

Captain Oliver E. Sabatke By: Tom Dier Research opens many doors. Invariably, there are contents in each report that lead to more questions and the pursuit of more answers. When I first began investigating United Airlines Flight 823 I discovered, during a search of an aviation website, that the pilot of Flight 823, Oliver E. Sabatke, was in the site's database. I assumed I was going to find more information regarding the Parrottsville crash.

captain_oliver_e_sabatke

2018-03-05T17:30:24+00:00

Captain Oliver E. Sabatke By: Tom Dier Research opens many doors. Invariably, there are contents in each report that lead to more questions and the pursuit of more answers. When I first began investigating United Flight 823 I discovered, during a search of an aviation website, that the pilot of Flight 823, Oliver E. Sabatke, was in the site's database. I assumed I was going to find more information regarding the Parrottsville crash.

captain_sabatke_s_log_book

2014-11-23T13:02:45+00:00

Captain Sabatke's Log Book Shortly before the July 9, 2014 memorial for United Flight 823, I received an email from Captain Oliver E. Sabatke's son, Todd Sabatke. We had been exchanging emails for only a few days. In this particular message he stated that his father, during World War II, flew PBYs.

chapter_4_the_last_flight

2018-03-23T14:23:11+00:00

4. The Last Flight The Vickers Viscount turboprop aircraft registered as N7405 began daily operations July 9, 1964 as United Airlines Flight 609. It departed from Raleigh, North Carolina that morning at 7:05 and, after stops in Washington D.C., Buffalo, New York, Elmira, New York, and Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was scheduled to land at 12:45 that afternoon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

charles_l._young

2021-02-28T21:07:11+00:00

dan_burgner_interview

2013-07-29T11:36:25+00:00

Dan Burgner Interview Mr. Dan Burgner is a lifelong resident of Greene County, Tennessee. In July, 1964 he was living at the Burgner family home-a dairy farm a few hundred yards south of Bird's Bridge (36 08' 664“N 82 82' 442”W) which spans the Nolichuckey River in southern Greene County. Bird's Bridge is approximately 11 nautical miles East-Northeast of the crash site.

distance_measuring_equipment

2015-02-13T21:42:20+00:00

Distance Measuring Equipment According to page 8 of the CAB report, the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), as recovered, was tuned to the Knoxville VORTAC with the mileage module locked at 47.5 miles. The crash site, according to page 3 of the same report, is described as being 41 nautical miles east northeast of the Knoxville VORTAC. Thus, a 6.5 mile discrepancy that we will discuss later.

evidence_of_radio_fire

2013-07-16T21:42:45+00:00

Evidence Of Radio Fire Part II United Flight 823

evidence_of_radio_fire_part_ii

2014-02-22T13:55:51+00:00

Evidence Of Radio Fire Part II Recently, I discovered an Associated Press news article dated August 22, 1964. It was published in the Knoxville (TN) News-Sentinel. The initial headline reads: Radio Fire Indicated In Plane Crash. The headline on Page A-12, where the article was continued, reads:

faa_advisory_circular_ac_00-33a

2014-01-29T02:36:16+00:00

FAA Advisory Circular AC 00-33A

faa_order_wp_6000.6_ni-cad_batteries_8_8_66

2014-10-13T12:48:24+00:00

FAA Order WP 6000.6 Ni-Cad Batteries 8/8/66 This document is especially interesting when looking at the time frame of the publication's release which is about two months after the release of the Civil Aeronautics Board's Aircraft Accident Report for UAL flight 823.

fire_on_board_aloha_airlines_flight_845

2018-03-22T14:21:55+00:00

Fire On Board Aloha Airlines Flight 845 On August 8, 1971, a Vickers Viscount 745D, N7415, operating as Flight 845 from Hilo, landed at Honolulu Airport at 1724 hours. The flight had departed Hilo at 1630, Hawaii Standard time. During the landing roll (after the plane touched down) the captain noticed an unusual odor. He and the First Officer attributed the odor to engine fumes coming from the fresh air inlet as a result of a quartering tailwind. They decided to turn off the circulation fan. …

first_officer_charles_l._young

2021-05-02T14:21:54+00:00

An important part of First Officer (and co-pilot) Charles L. Young's job was record keeping—right down to how much crew members were to be reimbursed for meals. Thanks to his son, Charles L. Young Jr., I am able to post several pictures, that belong to the family. One of the above, is a log book entry that shows Captain Oliver E. Sabatke and First Officer Charles Young Sr as having flown together prior to Christmas, 1962. Both of these men flew for Capital Air Lines, prior to the merger with Uni…

flight_crew_and_loss_of_control

2012-04-02T00:24:23+00:00

Flight Crew And Loss Of Control The Possible Role Of CO2 Although there are at least three distinct theories, there can be no solid conclusion as to how or why the pilot lost control of the aircraft. One Internet website makes the statement that the flight crew was overcome by CO2 and lost control of the plane after losing consciousness. While this is a strong possibility, it can not be stated as fact.

flight_recorder

2012-04-02T00:23:48+00:00

Flight Recorder Page 7 of the Civil Aeronautics Board Aircraft Accident Report describes the United Flight 823 Flight Recorder as being a Lockheed Aircraft Service Model 109C. Serial Number 578. The recorder was installed in the electrical compartment below the cabin floor at Fuselage Station (FS) 389.

free_fall_victim

2013-05-08T21:30:16+00:00

The Free Fall Victim Much of the investigation hinged on tests and analysis of the body and clothing worn by the man who jumped from the aircraft about 1.5 miles prior to the crash. The nature of the crash, and the subsequent fire, destroyed much evidence and hindered the investigation. What little material that had fallen from the plane and the body and clothing of the man comprised much of the evidence that was to prove that the cabin is where the fire took place, rather than in the cargo ho…

history_of_flight_-_the_day_of_july_9_1964

2014-11-23T13:32:39+00:00

Vickers Viscount 745D, N7405, July 9, 1964 Advisory Circular AC 00-33 FAA Advisory Circular AC 00-33A From the Civil Aeronautics Board Report, Page 1 and Page 2: History of Flight The aircraft, N7405, operated as United Air Lines (UAL) Flight 609 from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to Philadelphia with intermediate stops at Washington, D.C., Buffalo and Elmira, N.Y., and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The aircraft departed Raleigh-Durham at 0705 (EST) and arrived at Philadelphia at 1245 (EST)…

july_9_2013

2014-06-15T23:02:42+00:00

July 9, 2013 It is 6PM here in East Tennessee. The weather is remarkably similar to the weather that was occurring on July 9, 1964-the day of the crash of United 823. For the most part, the skies are clear-with the exception of large thunderheads on the other side of Camp Creek Bald, toward Asheville, North Carolina. Large clouds also are appearing toward Knoxville.

july_9_2014

2014-08-13T11:50:26+00:00

July 9, 2014 At the request of the Sabatke family, I have posted a Letter-To-The-Editor that appeared in the July 19-20, 2014 issue of The Newport Plain Talk. My initial reaction, after re-reading the letter from a few weeks ago, was to remove the parts that made mention of me. Instead, I have chosen to leave these words and will say, further, that I am humbled by the mention. In fact, I am honored and humbled by all of the different communications I have received from all family members du…

july_9_2017

2017-07-09T15:02:46+00:00

Bobbie and I had the privilege of placing this wreath in Union Cemetery in Newport Tennessee. The wreath is a gift from the Sabatke Family in remembrance of Captain Oliver E. Sabatke and the passengers and crew who were on board United Airlines Flight 823.

july_9_2018

2018-07-09T19:56:42+00:00

july_9_2019

2019-07-10T00:45:59+00:00

A very special THANK-YOU to Gail Dunham and the National Air Disaster Alliance/Foundation for their generosity. The flowers are very beautiful. The link to the NADF: www.PlaneSafe.org

july_9_2020

2020-07-10T01:47:58+00:00

Thank you Alice and Larry Jordon for the donation of the floral arrangement and the stuffed animals.

july_9_2021

2021-07-10T01:40:18+00:00

My wife, Bobbie, and I visited Union Cemetery today to place a fresh flower arrangement. We were happy to see that the tombstone was still wearing last year's somewhat faded arrangement.

july_9_2022

2022-07-09T15:10:07+00:00

Special Thanks to Catherine Crowder for the flower arrangement.

july_9_2023

2023-07-09T10:33:26+00:00

july_9_2024

2024-07-09T21:16:58+00:00

For the past eight years, I have made the trip to Union Cemetery in Newport, Tennessee to place flower arrangements at the memorial that has been dedicated to the passengers and crew of United Flight 823 on the last flight's anniversary, July 9, 1964.

links

2024-02-01T18:53:41+00:00

Links The Last Flight of United Airlines 823, by Tom Dier The NATIONAL AIR DISASTER ALLIANCE/FOUNDATION The Vickers Viscount Network: Capital Airlines Time Tables: United Airlines Time Tables:

looking_for_these_documents

2013-11-30T13:27:09+00:00

Looking For These Documents 1) Armed Forces Institute of Pathology tests. 2) Federal Bureau of Investigation laboratory tests. 3) United Flight 823 cargo manifest. 4) Passenger manifest with seating assignments. 5) Testimony of Mr. G.T. Bannister at Knoxville, TN Public hearing January, 1965

minutes_prior_to_crash

2012-04-02T00:22:32+00:00

Minutes Prior To Crash From Civil Aeronautics Board Aircraft Accident Report: “...the flight operated without any reported difficulties to Holston Mountain VOR. The crew reported to the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center over that fix at 1758:35 and estimated their arrival in Knoxville at 1821. Approximately one minute after having reported passing Holston Mountain, the crew requested a clearance to descend to the lowest available altitude. They were cleared to descend to 8,000 feet. Th…

n7405

2014-09-18T11:24:39+00:00

N7405 Photo taken in Chicago at O'Hare International Airport, 31 January 1963 It is not for certain where this photo was taken. Ship #7405 (324) was flown by O.E.Sabatke three different times during January, 1958, according to that month's Flight Statement.

nickel-cadmium_batteries

2014-09-18T11:28:30+00:00

Nickel-Cadmium Batteries During the course of my investigation of United Flight 823, I have made several attempts to obtain testimony given during the Public Hearing that took place in Knoxville, Tennessee from January 12 until January 16, 1965. The different inquiries that I have made have received the same response:

nickel-cadmium_batteries_part_ii

2014-09-06T20:51:06+00:00

Nickel Cadmium Batteries Part II From the Viscount 745 Pilot's Handbook dated May 5, 1960: “...(T)he following units have caused electrical fires in the past and may be used as a guide in troubleshooting. 1. Main Inverters 2. Nesa Inverters and transformers (transformers located forward of center carry on luggage rack)

notice

2017-03-30T20:05:17+00:00

Notice Several months ago, I was able to locate the long searched for transcripts of the Knoxville Public Hearings that the Civil Aeronautics Board conducted in January of 1965. These transcripts, as well as the transcripts of the deposition that took place in Washington D.C. in November 1965, also conducted by the CAB, total over one thousand pages.

ntsb_safety_recommendations_a-72-116_117

2014-01-29T02:17:41+00:00

Safety Recommendations A-72-116 & 117

passengers_and_crew

2012-04-09T20:38:27+00:00

Note: Information that pertains to individual persons will be added as it becomes available. Passengers: Mrs. R. Anderson Master R. Anderson Miss N. Anderson, 6 years old Miss Linda Baker J.M. Burroughs Mrs. M. Chestney Mr. R. Cramer

pictures_of_other_vickers_viscount_aircraft

2014-07-06T00:54:21+00:00

Pictures Of Other Vickers Viscount Aircraft Cockpit Vickers Viscount Dan Burgner Interview United Flight 823

pictures_of_other_vickers_viscounts

2013-05-12T01:00:47+00:00

situation_report

2016-02-09T15:16:34+00:00

Situation Report A major concern of mine is that readers have spent time, for the past several months, opening this site only to find there have been no recent entries. There is a reason. As previously mentioned, I have been in the process of receiving and studying the transcripts of the January, 1965 Public Hearing in Knoxville and many of the exhibits that were referenced during those hearings. The first documents I received were depositions taken in November, 1965 in Washington. D.C.

sonotone_ni-cad_publication_by_lewis_hofstatter

2014-09-06T21:54:58+00:00

Sonotone Ni-Cad Publication, by Lewis Hofstatter Tennessee Aeronautics Chart United Flight 823

start

2024-07-09T20:58:03+00:00

United Flight 823 Table Of Contents July 9, 2024 Content added July 9, 2024 July 9, 2023 Content added July 9, 2023 July 9, 2022 Content added July 9, 2022 The Vacant Chair Content Added July 22, 2021 First Officer Charles L. Young Content added April 29, 2021 The Introduction Content added February1, 2024 The Passengers and Crew Content Added July 22, 2021 The Minutes Prior To Crash

tennessee_aeronautics_chart

2013-11-30T16:48:02+00:00

Tennessee Aeronautics Chart This map is a portion of a 1971 Tennessee Aeronautics Chart authorized by then-Governor Winfield Dunn. The line drawn from the Bird's Bridge intersection at the Nolichuckey River, southwest, to the Knoxville Vortac has been drawn by me and should not be mistaken for an official navigational vector.

test

2013-05-10T02:43:39+00:00

This is a test

the_anatomy_of_an_investigation

2015-08-24T11:13:07+00:00

The Anatomy Of An Investigation Procuring documents and information about the crash of United Flight 823 at Parrottsville, Tennessee on July 9, 1964 has been difficult, to say the least. The old flight manuals and technical manuals I have purchased on e-bay do not come cheap either. Still, in the final analysis, the project has been extremely interesting and well worth my while.

the_beginning

2012-04-01T23:01:27+00:00

United Flight 823 Table Of Contents The Introduction The Passengers and Crew The Minutes Prior To Crash Captain Oliver E Sabatke The Flight Recorder The Flight Crew And Loss Of Control Free Fall Victim A Can Of Paint Modifier The Parrottsville Crash Site

the_book_is_finished

2018-02-22T22:38:18+00:00

The book is finished. Its title is “The Last Flight of United Air Lines 823.” I am unable at this time to adequately express my thanks to all of the people who have lent me a helping hand along the way. If you visit Amazon.com and enter my name, Tom Dier, in the search box, you should find the listing.

the_can_of_paint_modifier

2012-04-02T00:20:20+00:00

the_flight_crew_and_loss_of_control

2014-12-24T21:52:31+00:00

The Flight Crew And Loss Of Control ====UPDATE==== I've given the seat belt buckles much thought and have come to the conclusion that, if the buckles found in the wreckage had been in the fastened position, there would not have been cause for the CAB to consider that a shift in passenger load had occurred. This is not to say that a load shift was the definitive cause of the plane losing control, only that it is likely passengers in the front of the plane got up from their seats in order to dist…

the_flight_recorder

2014-02-13T18:07:32+00:00

the_free_fall_victim

2014-01-26T01:10:09+00:00

the_introduction

2024-02-01T18:59:20+00:00

The Introduction: The purpose of this website is to provide information regarding the crash of United Flight 823 that occurred on July 9, 1964 near Parrottsville, Tennessee, USA. Thirty-four passengers and four crew members were aboard the Vickers Viscount 745D, registration

the_minutes_prior_to_crash

2014-01-26T01:03:36+00:00

the_parrottsville_crash_site

2014-02-10T12:33:45+00:00

The Parrottsville Crash Site Fifteen past six in the evening found farmers in East Tennessee in their milk barns. July 9, 1964 was a typical evening. Thirteen year-old Kenneth Trentham was helping his mother, Mae Edith Trentham, milk cows. He was standing outside the barn, heard a whistling sound and looked up to see the aircraft coming down directly overhead. One second later it seemed to hit the

the_passengers_and_crew

2022-12-03T21:43:02+00:00

The Passengers And Crew Note: Additional information that pertains to individual persons will be added as it becomes available. Passengers: Mrs. Margaret Anderson, Huntsville, Alabama Master Robert Anderson, Age 9, Huntsville, Alabama Miss Nancy Anderson, Age 6, Huntsville, Alabama,

the_vacant_chair

2021-07-23T17:24:25+00:00

The Vacant Chair Above Photo: Catherine Crowder The original intent for this website was to present human interest and technical articles about United Airlines Flight 823. During the time preceding the 50th year memorial service, there were a few family members who sent photos of their loved ones. These photos deserve a fitting place.

united_airlines_general_bulletin_44_june_9_1964

2017-12-07T21:54:34+00:00

United Airlines General Bulletin #44 June 9, 1964

united_airlines_viscount_745d_designation_code

2014-08-30T20:41:39+00:00

United Airlines Viscount 745D Designation Code

united_airlines_viscount_emergency_procedures

2015-02-13T21:26:54+00:00

United Airlines Viscount Emergency Procedures

vickers_viscount_aircraft

2013-05-10T10:03:28+00:00

N7405

viscount_fuselage_diagram

2014-01-29T02:01:08+00:00

17 December 1971 Airworthiness Directive 71-21-5 (Via Hughes Aircraft) United Flight 823

was_sabotage_the_cause

2014-02-08T16:11:41+00:00

Was Sabotage The Cause? The Civil Aeronautics Board Aircraft Accident Report did not rule out sabotage as the cause of the in-flight fire on United Flight 823. Page 14 of the report states: “The combustible material and source of ignition that started the fire are not known. Although attempts to determine if any passenger had carried any hazardous material aboard the aircraft did not reveal this had occurred, the possibility cannot be ruled out. Such a material, either innocently or with malici…