When an airplane is left standing at an airport, it is the practice on some airlines to tie the control wheel, lest a sudden gust flip the control surfaces about, damage them or even upset the plane. Last week the control-lashing practice was blamed for a crackup. A big biplane of Eastern Air Transport, loaded with 15 passengers, had taken off from Newark Airport, climbed some 50 ft. and flopped down again. Alleged reason: a mechanic failed to unlash the control stick before the plane took off.
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