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Assuming that there was no mechanical or- structural failure of the airplane or any of its controls, the possibility that the captain and first officer might have become disabled suggests itself
The hypothesis of complete disability is refuted by the indication that the airplane gas at least under partial control The evidence indicates that the captain and first officer each occupied his usual seat on the left and right side of the airplane, respectively The condition of the seat belts of both he captain and the first officer indicated that they were fastened at impact Moreover, a portion of the control wheel was found still grasped by tile left hand of Captain Cooper, substantiating the belief that he was manipulating the controls until the moment that impact occurred Although the evidence has not indicated any particular occurrence that might have resulted in partial disability of the captain and first officer, such an occurrence is of course possible A control knob (the Gold air duct nose valve control knob), normally located adjacent to the right side of the control pedestal, was found imbedded in the captain's right leg Although this suggests that, at the time of impact, the captain might have had his right leg extended to his rigil so that it reached into the first officer's side of the cockpit, it is impossible to determine whether the leg was in that position or the knob was inexplicably driven into the leg at an angle.
The body of Captain Cooper was in such condition that it was impossible to establish the exact cause of his death The Supervising Coroner for Ontario stated that specimens of blood and urine were taken from the body and examined for carbon monoxide and alcohol and that the report of the examination revealed that there was no alcohol present in either blood or urine The blood specimens were unavoidably in such a state that it was impossible to ascertain whether carbon monoxide was present or absent The body of First Officer Owens was in such condition that no specimens could be taken
The possibility that the captain and first officer might have been affected by some sort of food poisoning, as a result of the meal which was eaten between Newark and Buffalo, has been considered It appears, however, that the food supplied the crew was from the same containers as that which was served to the passengers None of the passengers who deplaned at Buffalo reported any ill effects from the meal
There was a conflict of testimony as to whether the ground in the vicinity of the scene of 'the accident was lighted up immediately prior to the accident While some witnesses stated 'that they did not notice an light other than the navigation lights and lights from the windows of the airplane others testified to seeing a yellow glow of light immediately prior to the crash One witness stated that as the airplane passed directly overhead very close to the ground there was a flash of light which practically blotted out his vision for about 15 seconds and that about 30 seconds later the same light appeared again after the airplane had traveled farther northeast The conjecture was ventured that the light might have been caused by the dropping of a flare or the turning on of the landing lights of the airplane The probability that a flare was dropped is very slight since two flares, the normal supply of the airplane were found in the wreckage Although it is possible that the landing lights may have been flashed on prior to the accident in a vain effort to determine the proximity of the ground, this suggestion is contradicted by the positive statements of several witnesses that at no time were the landing lights turned on
Three possible explanations of the observation of a glow or flash of light are apparent As the airplane came close to the ground, light from the cabin shining through the cabin windows upon the light mist or suspended vapor condition commonly existing near the earth
