GOVERNMENT OF CHINA REPORT ON CRASH OF CAT C-46

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05268328
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2020
• Case Number: F-2015-00256
• Publication Date: July 16, 1964

�
Approved for Release: 2020/08/19 C0526830/S 64-3883
pp's R-L;CTSIR
FILE
16 July 1964
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Support
SUBJECT : Government of China Report on Crash of CAT C-46
1. Mr. Grundy called Mr. Doole this morning to advise that the Chinese
CAA had released to the press its accident investigation report of the crash
of the CAT C-46 on 20 June 1964 in Taiwan. The report states that the acci-
dent was caused by faulty maintenance and pilot error. It states that there
was a worn trim control cable and a pilot error in turning left and stalling
the plane.
2. Ambassador Wright informed Mr. Grundy that the report of the two
U.S. representatives of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) participating in
the investigation found that there was no conclusive evidence as to the cause
of the accident, that the flight was conducted in a satisfactory manner, and
that the wreckage revealed no clues or reasons why the plane crashed. It
appears that the CAB report was made available to the Chinese CAA and after
the two U.S. representatives left the island the Chinese changed the report to
Its present format of faulty maintenance and pilot error. It is believed that
this is entirely a political action in order for the Chinese Government to es,,
cape the criticisms leveled as a result of the plane crash.
3. Mr. Grundy has been in consultation with Ambassador Wright this
morning. Grundy will issue a statement that CAT has not found the reason
for the crash and that the investigation is continuing. It is felt that this state-
ment is the best that can be made under the circumstances wherein the findings
of the Chinese Government are not accepted and yet the veracity of the Govern-
ment report is not specifically challenged.
4. I
There is no indication that the Chinese CAA is taking any
corrective measures nor that the airline will be grounded. If such action
GROUP 1
Excluded from nutantain
downgrading end
declassifkatiail
Approved for Release: 2020/08/19 C05268328
Approved for Release: 2020/08/19 C05268328
Etull 11,
were taken, it would equally affect China Air Lines and the Far East Air
Transport and this would result in criticism of the Chinese Government.
The report of the Chinese Government implies negligence on the part of CAT
and this will have a bearing on claims and suits leveled against the airline.
The company carries insurance with Lloyd's of London up to $50, 000 for
each passenger. There is a Chinese regulation limiting carrier liability in
accidents to $500, however, this regulation is not considered a serious barrier
to any suit for damages.
5. Prior to the above developments, Mr. Grundy, the Ambassador, the
Deputy Chief of Mission, had a lengthy dis-
cussion on the CAT situation vis-a-vis Chinese Government attitudes and
actions toward CAT resulting from the air crash.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
cc: General Counsel
DDCI (Mr. Knoche)
DD/S-HB
R. L. Bannerman
Assistant Deputy Director
for Support
-2-
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2020/08/19 C05268328