Investigation Summary
On January 12, 1937, Western Air Express Flight 7 was operating a scheduled service from Salt Lake City to Burbank. As the aircraft approached the Los Angeles basin, it encountered severe weather conditions characterized by heavy rain and low visibility. The pilot, William W. Lewis, was attempting to locate the airport while flying through a dense overcast. Upon suddenly spotting a ridge looming directly ahead, Lewis cut power to the engines and intentionally 'pancaked' the aircraft onto the hillside to reduce the force of the impact. The Boeing 247D first struck the ground with its left wing tip and skidded approximately 125 feet along the slope of Los Pinetos Peak. The impact occurred at roughly 3,550 feet, near the summit. The fuselage remained relatively intact due to the pilot's maneuver, which contributed to the survival of eight individuals. Among the survivors was the prominent adventurer and filmmaker Martin Johnson, who later died from his injuries at the hospital; his death is included in the total count of five fatalities. His wife, Osa Johnson, survived with serious injuries. The rescue effort was hampered by the remote location and the ongoing storm, requiring survivors to wait several hours before help arrived.
Final Conclusions
The Bureau of Air Commerce determined the probable cause was the pilot's action in descending to a dangerously low altitude while attempting to approach the airport under conditions of poor visibility and heavy rain. The investigation highlighted that the pilot did not have a definite fix on his position before beginning the descent through the overcast. The presence of static, caused by the storm, likely interfered with the reception of radio range signals, further complicating the crew's ability to navigate accurately.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Radio Range Navigation
The primary navigation system of the era, which used directional radio signals to guide pilots along 'airways'. Static from the storm likely rendered these signals unreliable.
Altimeter
A pressure-based instrument used to determine altitude; in 1937, these were subject to errors if not frequently calibrated to local barometric pressure during storms.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Boeing 247D, one of the first modern all-metal airliners.
- 02The crash site was located near the Newhall pass, a common transit point for flights into the Los Angeles basin.
- 03Famous explorers Martin and Osa Johnson were among the passengers; Martin died the following day.
- 04The pilot, William W. Lewis, survived the crash despite the cockpit taking the brunt of the impact.
- 05Heavy static from the rainstorm was cited as a factor that likely obscured radio navigation signals.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Improved Radio Shielding
The accident reinforced the need for better radio shielding and anti-static antennas to ensure reliable navigation during heavy precipitation.