The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-10
oieWardess Ruth Kimmel, Aia-

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 Rnesengers: Mark Fontana, Reno AGargaroni, ]. Franklin Gilmore, of San Erancisco; John 4. and Ger tri1do Brennan, Berkeley; Myron xcrge and II. D. Freedlander, Los Angeles, and Roger Meyers, Ridge wood, N. ,. Ambulances and doctors remained at the San Francisco air- port throughout the night although t seemed certain that all occupants of the plane were dead.
 Landed on It's NeSe
 The ship apparently landed on its nose and hurled over on It's back. The fnselage appeared to be intact but the tail was smashed badly. The crash. fifth fatal one in the west in less than two months, occurred in clear weather. Its cause was not established. Experienced pilots sug- gested Thompson perhaps mis- judged his altitude above the water and that the wheels struck the Sur- face of the bay, pulling the ship over on It's back. If 1t had stayed right-side-up, they said, 1t would have hoated for several hours at least. Numerous reports were re- ceiyed by the Airline from persons who said they heard an explosion or saw . fire in an airplane, or heard the plane strike the water, but specials said none appered to be from any reliable source.
 Strange, Mysterious
 Last nights disaster was strange and mysterious. The other passen- ger liners crashed in bad weather in mountainous country. But Pilot A. R. (Tommy) Thompson, a vet eran, had his giant Douglas twin motored liner within sight of Mills field, the destination of the planes regularly scheduled flight from Los Angeles. The sky was clear. the air all but still and persons on the field saw his landing lights as he circled to come down.
 Ted Martin, the Airways ground radio operator. suggested he take the rorth-South runway. ThompGon said he preferred the eaSt-west run way. The voice sounded calm, ag- sured. Suddenly his landing lights went out and the plane faded into the black sky.
 Private Pilot Sights It
 Five hours and ten minutes later Frank Fuller, one of a score of pri- vate pilots engaged in a search that had mobilized military and private planes, coastguard cutters, tug boats, and yachts, gighted the wreckage with only q little of the fin and cabin showing above the water.
 The plane left Los Angeles at 2 o'clock 10 p. m. EST) last night. It was ( new ship commissioned Doc. 20. It arrived over San Fran ciBco airport on schedule at 9 p. m. tnlidnight EsTJ
 "Okay, let down your landing gear was Martins lagt words to Thompson. This is routine dou- bls-check to prevent landing acci- dents.
 The plane flew east over San Fgancisco Bay, toward the Alameda Oakland shore, then appeared to circle and head back for the run way. Martin watched 1t. He no- tioed that It's lights appeared to be sinking lower.
 Lights Disappeared
 Suddenly the lights disappeared, apparently behind dyke which holds the boys waters back from the eastern edge of the airport.
 T heard heavy rumble" Mar 1 tin said. T heard thB direct; not over my radio set There was no fash"
 Tho heavy rumble was the crash | of the plane as it splashed into the bay. It was heard for five miles.
 Martin immediately notified the airport superintendent, the San Francisco police and the coast guard. Searching parties covered the bay shore and the channel itself, by air and water, In q matter of minutes.
 Refused to Discuss It
 Eugene Vidal, air commerce bu- rcau director. declined to discug re- ports received from investigators. H3n txt Ufl.,c iS,f tlxy.. I. als