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I
(Rev. 5-22-54atePLA INTEXT
ransmIt the followmg 1n
(Type in plaintext or code)
TELETYPE URGENT 4
(Priority) i
l. .
TO ACTING DIRECTOR, AND SACS ALEXANDRIA
WFO
OMAHA

 

FROM: CHICAGO 

CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE,

A BOEING SEVEN THREE SEVEN, AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, DECEMBER
EIGHT, DAMV.

RE CHICAGO TELEPHONE CALLS TO THE BUREAU AND ALEXANDRIA,
AND HFO, INSTANT.

CAPTIONED PLANE, A BOEING SEVEN THREE SEVEN, CRASHED AT
SEVENTIETH AND LAWNDALE AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AT
APPROXIMATELY TWO TWENTYONE PM THIS DATE. THE PLANE
DEPARTED WASHINGTON, D.C., AT TWELVE FORTE .PM CST AND WAS
SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE AT MIDWAY AIRPORT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

AT TWO THIRTYONE PM CST. THERE WERE PASSENGERS
AND A CREW OE SIX WHICH INCLUDED THREE STEWARDESSES AND THREE
FLIGHT OFFICERS.

THIRTEEN PASSENGERS AND TWO STEWARDESSES ARE ALIVE AND

HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. /0 65% 

I?zwvv 

  
 

 

 

Approved: Sent Per; 

SpeCiy/ Agent in Charge GPO 1970 - 402?735

 

 

 

 

.r
FD-ae (Rev. 5-22-64) . 

FBI

Date:

Transmit the following in

 

(Type in plaintext or code)

 

(Priority)

CG 
PAGE TWO

THE PLANE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL SINGLE FAMILY
DWELLINGS. THE NUMBER OF INJURIES AND FATALITIES T0
PERSONS IN THE CRASH AREA IS NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. THERE
WERE SEVERAL FIRES TRIGGERED BY SUPERINTENDENT JAMES

 

CONLISK, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, PD, AND CAPTAIN b6
b7C

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE, UAL, ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILLINOIS, HAVE
REQUESTED THE SERVICE OF THE FBI DISASTER UNIT.

A PLAYBACK OF THE RECORDING TAPE AT MIDWAY AIRPORT
INDICATES POSSIBLE PILOT ERROR. ACCORDING TO THE TAPE ?5
FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE APPROACHED RUNWAEDA SMALL AIRCRAFT
WAS ALREADY ON THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT OF FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE
WAS INSTRUCTED To MAKE A LEFT TURN AND COME TO A HEADING OF
ONE EIGHTY DEGREES. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION
AND THE PLANE DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR. THE TREE THEN INDICATES
A FLUTTERING SOUND WHICH MIGHT HAVE COME FROM THE STALL SPEED
INDICATOR, INDICATING THE PILOT HAD LOST HIS SPEED AND CRASHED.

TWO STEWARDESSES AND A FEDERAL NARCOTICS AGENT WHO WERE
ABOARD THIS PLANE HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY BUAGENTS AND THEY

 

 

 

Approved: Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge GPO: 1970 - 402-735

 

 

 

 

.1 
.. 1 
(Rev. 5-22-64Date: 1



Transmit the following in I

(Type in plaintext or code) 



Via 4

(Priority) 

.. 

CG 149 
PAGE THREE

STATE NOTHING UNUSUAL HAPPENED PRIOR TO CRASH.
COMPLETE PASSENGER MANIFEST OBTAINED FROM UAL WITH
1 CONTACT POINTS FOR ALL PASSENGERS.

CLOSE LIAISON BEING MAINTAINED WITH CPD AND
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.

U. S. CONGRESSMAN GEORGE COLLINS, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
HAS BEEN MANIFESTED ABOARD THIS FLIGHT ACCORDING TO UAL RECORDS.
1 NO OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING COLLINS AT THIS TIME.

ASAC, CHICAGO, 0N SCENE AND HANDLING INVESTIGATION
PERSONALLY.

INFORMATION COPY TO OMAHA AS ELIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE
WAS T0 TERMINATE OMAHA.

 

 

 

 

 

Approved: Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge - 402-735

 

 

 

 



 

 

FD-3il0a (Rev. 34-67)


.. 
-

 

-7 

 
  
  
 

 

(Title)

(File No.) /0w 

 

Disposition

 

 

.nW

Ari/d? 

SEARCHED 


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1973


a?


 

 

 

i

 

FD-34O (REV. 6-24-65)

File Ho.
Date Received

(2 0441

3/

 

 

 

 

From 7
(NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR)
(ADDRESS OF CONTRIBUTOR) 
52' cm! AND STATE) ..

 



 

go 

(Inscription:

(NAME OF SPECIAL AGENT)

Receipt'given

Yes

 



.,

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5


 

um?. .mmsm 

2:4? A 4wMan-jw ?radians?E

6-24-38wig/Returned-I Yes. Receip; given Wes
No
Description: 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.9.30 

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0mm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6-24-68)

 

Filo Ho: X514: 
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(ADDRESS 61-1 con-mfsu-i'om

 
 

Ti) Be Returned Yes Remain; given [Eaves
(EH0 Ho
?escriptiun; 

  

 

 

b6
b7C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fla-340 REV. (6-24-65)



File No. 
Date Received 8 '7 Z:
From SANDERS

cube Mencaieemao is.

RES 
MC WNW
By.

(NAME OF SPECIAL AGENT)

 

 

To Be Returned Yes Receipt given [2 Yes

No No

Description:

W603 00W 0F {LecexP-v
(awaken To SAM) ems

?at?we {Zecdmuoq
0? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b6
b7C

 

 

@3635 CHI Lug-3U N. KK CLULLQ .QJLL 1 ELM 7,2

 

{LOCtLumf d153, 0. Lg(rm\

K9153) .. amt: 
KELLER, C. (Wu 31:0 

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Em Onyx WCEN-QQ 4.5.: (Q 
- X316 (4. QM CL. 
ck ?Law?s ?1 - LSKV MK) Kbuxgbw 3363., 1?"wa

 

 

 

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. .
. MAv31:33?kite prlung-nwl'



 



 

ANNOUNCER:

UNKNOWN MALE:

We have a tape rolling here. We'd

like to talk to you. Tell us what

you know about this crash.

I, well, I was listening to aircraft
radio, I have an aircraft band and

I was monitoring Midway Tower and

there was a business jet in front about
five minutes before and it was not too
clear, the radio was not too clear, but
it appeared he lost sight of the runway
and had to abort his landing and made a
left turn?out. He came around and
contacted Midway approach again and he
was, as he was coming around again,
United 553 was in back of him. His

air speed, the business jet's air Speed
was 120 miles per hour and Ewbelieve
the united jet's was 160 and he was
overtaking him, the tower asked him

at first asked the business jet to take
the right runway but then told him to

forget it and to land on the left runway.

 

 

ANNOUNCER:

UNKNOWN MALE:
ANNOUNCER:

ANNOUNCER:

UM:

 



And told the Uhited jet to make a left
turn out to a south heading of 180 degrees
and that is when he lost contact with

the jet and that is the last I heard of
the jet too.

Do you often monitor these aircraft
conversat?m ns?

Yes sir.

What do you gather from this, now you
have told me in technical terms which our
listeners can't understand. What do you
get from this conversation?

How do you mean, what do I get? I under-
stand distance between the two jets was
too close and that one either had to make
a left turn out; You see, this business
jet had already once made a left turn out
which meant the approach pattern was, it
was all messed up and it was mostly being
played by ear and the United jet was

much too fast, it was overtaking the
business jet and was told to make the left
turn out. It wasn't really standard
operating procedure at all.

Now you say he lost sight of the runway?

I believe that's what it was. Because

 

 

ANNOUNCER:

 

as they get mower, as they get toward
63rd and Cicero on the thresh-hold of
the runway, the radio becomes a little
fuzzier and all I heard was, I forget
what the name business jet
was a Sabreliner and all I heard was that
he was supposed to make a left turn

out to 190 degrees and contact approach.
and the only reason I. could think of
this was I believe after he lost sight
of the runway, because after that, the
controller in the tower told all planes
approaching the runway to tell him when
they had the runway in sight and hwknow
that Midway's visibility is now instru?
mentational, only. Its not visual, its
less than a mile visibility with a
,5,000 foot ceiling.

new did it happen that these two planes
got so close together in the approach
pattern?

It was because the business jet had to
abort its first approach and then had

to make a second approach into Midway

 

 

 

ANNOUNCER:

ANNOUNCER:

again and united 553 was already on

a set approach pattern and that they
have a time, I believe to about four
miles between the planes but became

this business jet had to abort its
landing and come around again, this
distance was made closer and consequently
the distance between the planes was too
close to make a safe landing between

the two.

Was the last thing you heard from the
tower or one of the planes?

The last thing I heard was the controller
asking united 553 to come in about three
or four times after he told him to make

a left turn out to a south heading and

he did not make any contact and he

after about a minute, he told United

553 if anyone in united 553 was still
monitoring the tower to contact Chicago
VO'Hare on 1?18?4 which is a departure
frequency for O'Hara.

Was there any panic in anyone?s voice

in this communication?

 

 

ANNOUNCER:
UM:
ANNOUNCER:

. ANNOUNCER:
UM:
ANNOUNCER:

 

I really canit tell because the
controllers are more or less, I admire
them because they more or less'

are equipped to handle any type of danger
and I really didn't hear any tone of
worry except when he could not contact
the United jet.

Will you give me your name?

No sir, I want to withhold that, okay?
That's okay, is what you are doing

this monitoring of this conversation,

is this illegal?

No sir, it's pef?ectly legal, as far as

I know because they sell aircraft

band radios to the public, and there is
no law against it is they sell it I would
suppose.

But you do not care to identify yourself?
No Sir

Then, thadiyou very much

 

 

. 

.Fpiaab- may. 6-24-65)

 

?la Hg- 
Date Received Zr

or?hyfm?urog}.

 

 

(ADDRESS 03:; conmeUTOm

 

 

 

ND sums) 

By ,4 
7' (N?miz' or:- SPECIAL 

fa Be Return?il? Yes. Receipt gi?en-E] Yes

. 133? a 
Description:-

7W 
?3214 .- g-W


 

 

 

 

RE UNITED AIRLINES CRASH 
MIDWAY AIRPORT DECEMBER 1972

ATTACHED IS 
PRESENTATION TAPED ON NOV. 2, 1973.

HOLD TAPE INCLUDE IN ABOVE CASE
PER SAC INSTRUCTIONS

3 GEO H. PARFET



i




Wm

 

J?rir eien'w?ma27w?: 2: 

rumm- wanna.31.

m,

 

 .3 ?f
FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64)



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Bl 



Dut9212/9/72 
I

I

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Transmit the following in . PLAINTEXT
(Type in plamtext or code)

Vt: TELETYPE URGENT
(Priority)

TO ACTING DIRECTOR
FROM CHICAGO (MS-NEW)

CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE,
A BOEING SEVEN THREE SEVEN, AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
DECEMBER EIGHT, DANV. I

I RE BUCALL INELVE EIGHT LAST AND CO TEL TO BUREAU
TNELVE EIGHT LAST.

ON SCENE INVESTIGATION INDICATES PILOT ERROR As
CAUSE OF CRASH.

NO INFORMATION RECEIVED OR DEVELOPED BY CHICAGO
TO INDICATE CAUSE OP CRASH DUE TO SABOTAGE.

THREE VICTIMS, ON BOARD AIRCRAFT, INTERVIENED. NO
INDICATION 0F SABOTAGE OR SKYJACKING.

REVIEN OP TAPED CONVERSATIONS BETNEEN PILOT AND
1 TONER DETERMINED STALL INDICATOR ACTIVATED JUST PRIOR
I TO CRASH, DENOTING PLIGHT SPEED INSUPPICIENT AT TINE
PILOT RECEIVED LANDING HAVE OPP.



INVESTIGATION CONTINUING. BUREAU WILL BE KEPT 

MM

:T?Ig?jgw; 
WV 3% gm

Special Agent in Charge - 402-735

I ADVISED.

 

 

 

 

 


I
1 Approved:
I

 

 


ev. 5-22-64) . i}
h? .

FBI


PLAINTEXT

(Type in plaintext or code)

Via MW URG EN T93

Transmit the following in

(P riority)

T0 ACTING DIRECTOR
FROM 

CRASH OF UNITED AIR LINES FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE,
BOEING SEVEN THREE SEVEN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, DECEMBER
EIGHT LAST, DAMV.

RE CHICAGO TEL DECEMBER EIGHT LAST.

NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTIGATION IN VICINITY 0F AREA OF
CRASH 0F UAL FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE REFLECTS INFORAMTION
FROM WITNESSES TO EFFECT THAT AIRPLANE WAS UNDER OBSERVATION
UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED AND CRASHED. WITNESSES STATED THERE
WAS NO EXPLOSION OR APPARENT DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT BEFORE CRASH
AND IT APPEARED TO BE MUSHROOMING INTO THE HOUSES.
THE TAILQEAS DOWN, NOSE ELEVATED ABOUT FORTY-FIVE DEGREES
AND UNABLE TO GAIN ALTITUDE.

INFORMATION FROM FAA REFLECTS NQROSSIBILITY OF ANY
CAUSE OF CRASH OTHER THAN PILOT ERROR. ACCORDING TO CONSENSUS
OF INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES AND TONER AT MIDWAY AIRPORTApproved: Sent Per 
- Special Agent in Charge GPO 1970 - 402-735



 

 

'1
5-22-64) .

FBI

Transmit the following in

 

(Type in plaintext or code}

 





I







I


Date: 
I







i

I

(Priority)
J. 

PAGE TNO
THE FOLLOVING IS NHAT OCCURRED LEADING UP TO CRASH OF UAL
FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE:

UAL FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE NAS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR
LANDING AT NIDNAY AIRPORT FOLLONING A SMALL PRIVATE
AIRCRAFT. TGONER OBSERVED THAT DISTANCE BETNEEN FIVE FIVE
THREE AND PRIVATE AIRCRAFT HAS BECOMING NARGINAL. FIVE
FIVE THREE HAS ORDERED TO PULL OFF FROM APPROACH TURNING
LEFT TO A READING OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DEGREES. THE PILOT
APPARENTLY THREV FULL THROTTLE TO THE ENGINES AND STARTED
TO TURN TO THE LEFT AT THE SAME TIME, PULLINS UP THE NOSE OF
THE AIRCRAFT. THIS NANEUVER APPARENTLY CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT
TO 
INTO THE GROUND.

PERSONS INTERVIEWED INCLUDING FOUR SURVIVORS OF THE
CRASH AND FAA INVESTIGATORS, IN ADDITION TO NEIGHBORHOOD
NITNESSES DEVELOPED NOTHING NHICH INDICATE ANY
REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A VIOLATION OF THE DAHV STATUTE EXISTS.

 

 

 

 

Approved: Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge - 402-735

 

 

I ?i
(Rev. 5-22-64Date: I
I



I

I

I

Transmit the following in

 

{Type in plaintext or code)

(Priority)

PAGE THREE

DISASTER SQUAD HAS ARRIVED IN CHICAGO AND IT IS PRESENTLY
AT COUNY MORGUE IDENTIFVING DEAD PASSENGERS. POSITIVELY
IDENTIFIED ARE EIGHT BODIES. THERE ARE ONLY TWELVE BODIES
WITH WHICH THE DISASTER SQUAD CAN NORK. THERE ARE FORTY
FIVE BODIES AT THE NORGUE, THIS WOULD INCLUDE TWO PERSONS
ON THE GROUND, NHO RESIDED IN NEIGHBORHOOD OF CRASH.
THERE IS A TOTAL OF EIGHTEEN SURVIVORS.

FOR INFORMATION OF THE BUREAU, NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION
SAFETY BOARD (NTSB) SURVEYING CRASH SCENE. ENTIRE AREA EXTENSEVIL
PHOTOGRAPHED BY FBI AND SCENE DIAGRAMED. LIASION BEING
MAINTAINED WITH NTSB.

UACB NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED OTHER
THAN TO ASSIST DISASTER SQUAD IN IDENTIFYING BODIES.

 

 

 

 

Approved: Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge GPO 1970 - 402-735

 

 (RevFBI
Dam: 12/9/72 
Transmit the following in (?$533333 cade) 
Via TEIETYPE URGENT I
I

TO

 

FROM:

(Priority)

ACTING DIRECTOR, FBI
CHICAGO (149-NEW)

CRASH OF UNITED AIR IINES FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE,
BOEING SEVEN THREE SEVEN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, DECEMBER
EIGHT IAST, DAMV.

RE CHICAGO TEL DECEMBER EIGHT LAST.

NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTIGATION IN VICINITY OF AREA OF
CRASH OF UAL FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE REFIECTS INFORMATION
FROM WITNESSES.TO EFFECT THAT AIRPLANE NAS UNDER
OBSERVATION UNTIL IT DISAPPEARED AND CRASHED. WITNESSES

STATED THERE WAS NO EXPLOSION OR APPARENT DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT
E?bgd?-r?v 

 

BEFORE CRASH AND IT APPEARED TO BE TO THE
777%. 74m (10,45 W001), I) Mate?
HOUSES. :11" -- - as: 
29/ 
2.15;: 

Ian?:-

 

'5

INFORMATION FROM FAA REFLECTS NO POSSIBILITY OF ANY
CAUSE OF CRASH OTHER THAN PILOT ERROR. ACCORDING TO CONSENSUS

 

 

xwaEE?
OF INFORMATION FROM WITNESSES AND TOWER AT 
?aJ?rad M. . A 
E?m- I
KMG/kpr INNER 

 

 

 

 

4? 4 3
Approved: Sent . 

7 Na.
Special Agent in Charge . GPO 1910 - 402?735

 

 



(Rev. 5-22-54) . .


u" 

Transmit the following in

 

PAGE TWO

Date:

 


I







I

{Type in plaintext or code) 



(P riority}

CG 149-NEW
THE FGLOWING IS WHAT OCCURRED LEADING UP TO CRASH OF UAL
FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE:

UAL FLIGHT FIVE FIVE THREE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR
LANDING AT MIDWAY FOLLOWING A SMALL PRIVATE

   

0? 
"7 v?

DI STANCE BETWEEN

 

AIRCRAFT. TOWER OBSERVED THAT
FIVE FIVE THREE AND PRIVATE AIRCRAFT WAS BECOMING MARGINAL.
FIVE FIVE THREE WAS ORDERED TO PULL OFF FROM APPROACH
TURNING LEFT TO A HEADING OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DEGREES.
THE PILOT APPARENTLY THREW- FULL THROTTLE TO THE ENGINES
AND STARTED TO TURN TO THE LEFT AT THE SAME TIME, PULLING
UP THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT. THIS MANEUVER APPARENTLY
CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO STALL AND MUSHROOM, INTO THE GROUND.
MW PERSONS INTERVIEWED INCLUDING fOCz?
SURVIVORS OF THE CRASH AND FAA INVESTIGATORS, IN ADDITION
TO NEIGHBORHOOD WITNESSES, NOTHING DEVELOPED WHICH WOULD
INDICATE ANY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A VIOLATION OF THE DAMV

STATUTE EXISTS .

 

 

Approved:

 

Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge GPO 1970 - 402-735

 

 

 

 

.5 . ?3
(Rev. 5-22-64) . I
A I A



Transmit the following in

FBI

 

(Type in plaintext or code)

 

 

CRASH . . . 9/9
33-Dctte: 
I



I



I

_1

(Priority) I

PAGE THREE ..
CG 149 
DISASTER SQUAD HAS ARRIVED IN CHICAGO AND IT IS PRESENTI
AT COUNTY MORGUE IDENTIFYING DEAD POSITIVELY
IDENTIFIED ARE EIGHT BODIES. THERE ARE ONLY TWELVE BODIES
WITH WHICH THE DISASTER SQUAD CAN WORK. THERE ARE FORTY
FIVE BODIES AT THE MORGUE, MIME) INCLUDE TIZO PERS NS
I
WERE ON THE THERE IS A TOTAL OF EIGHTEEN
SURVIVORS.

FOR INFORMATION OF THE BUREAU, NATIONAL TRANSPORTQTION




    

UACB, NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED OTHER
THAN TO ASSIST DISASTER SQUAD IN IDENTIFYING BODIES.



 

 

Approved:

Sent Per
Special Agent in Charge GPO 1970 - 402-735

 

 

 

 A 

219 South Bourbon-n Btroot
Chiougo. Illinois 60604
December ll. 1972

Ir. B. Conn-k. Jr.
Suporiutondont

Chicago Polio: Depart-tout
1121 South State Street
Chicago. Illinois

Jim:

m: Buruu is conducting an investigation regarding
tho mgio crush 01 on United Air Lino- Jot not: Iidny
Airport on 8.1972. It would mu: us a grant
doll in our investigation it you would authoriloior tho
Bur-nu. color photmuphl oi the com such it!) 3,
obtiinod by your artphic Art: auction at tho ni?got

Your cooporltion in this nutter 13 country
?pmaut?do g. .

 

Vary truly yours.

30! I. loom
Spocul Acont in Clara.

2 Addressee
(1 - Graphic Arts Section)


Chicago
?JI/m/k .
(3)i

     




5331-: 
semen!


.-.,

n.

 

152L.



. 
kc xi?:
.Jl 

CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF _?3L36uth State Street

 

December 22,

Mr. Roy K. Moore

Federal Bureau of Investigation
219 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604

Dear Roy:

Chicago, Illinois 60605 744-4000

JAMES B. CONLISK, JR., Superintendent

Enclosed are photographs of the

December 8, Midway Air Crash, taken by police 4

photographers as you requested.

Please call upon the Chicago Police
Department at any time you feel we can be of 

    
    
 

service.
8' rely,
James B.
Enclosures


 

 

nlisk, Jr.
Superi:;e dent of Police

1972

05:53 

"e 

.1



RICHARD J. DALEY, Mayor

  

 

   
 

SEARCHED 
ERIA 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTIONAL FORM No. in 1
MAY 1982 EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 10mm

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

em randum

TO SAC, CHICAGO (149?New) DATE: 12/9/72
FROM SA ROBERT J. DOLAN
SUBJECT: CRASH OF UNITED AIR LINES

FLIGHT 553, A BOEING 737
AT CHICAGO ILLINOIS
12/8/72

DAMV

 

On 12/9/72, Mr.  1
Public Relations, Holy Cross Hospital, 2701 West 68th
Street, Chicago, Illinois, telephone 434-6700, advised
that survivors of the crash of United Air Lines Flight b6
553 of 12/8/72, presently admitted as patients at that b7C
hOSpital and will not be discharged until 12/10/72
at the earliest date. The decision as to discharging
of these survivors will be based entirely on the
medical condition at the time as well as the emotional
stability of the patient. Such discharges may 
commencing Sunday, 12/10/72. In any event, Mr.
stated that the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation will be notified regarding the discharging
of snob patients.

 

   

 
     

5w 

@5197?)
--1

FBI 

     

1
i 
(1)

 

Buy US. Saving Band: Regularly an the Payroll Saving: Plam

SOIO-IOB-OI

 

 

OPTIONAL FORM No. to I 
MAY 1962 EDITION
GSA FPMR CFR) 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum

To SAC, CHICAGO (149-10601 DATE 12/11/72
FROM SA THOMAS J. GREEN

SUBJECT: CRASH OF UNITED ARI LINES,
FLIGHT 553, Beeing 737,
Chicago, Ill., 12/8/72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


0n?12/8/72 liaison was established at
Cook 0 gue with Coroner 
Asst.  Directorr_ I Chicago
Crime'Laboratory, Commanderl Homicide
Div, Chicago P.D. and  Commander, Area b6
3 Homicide Section, Chicago P.D. This matter assigned to b7C

Area 3 Homicide Section, Chicago P.D.

 

and 
land lwere assigned
at the Mbrgue with SA THOMAS J. GREEN and obtained data
concerning description, background and other information'
available to identify the victims through View of bodies,
and search of clothing valuables, and other items recovered
with assistance of officers of Chicago P. D., Area 3 Homicide
and Area A Homicide. All information gained was frunished
Chicago Office to be submitted to Identification Div. to
search for fingerprints of victims:

. on 12/9/72 land THOMAS J.
GREEN assisted SA.BEVERLY PONDER, IdentificatiOn Division

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
   

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

and other members of his DISASTER SQUAD at Cook County b6
Morgue. b7C
On 12/10/72 SAs I land
I Iassisted SA PONDER and the DISASTER
SQUAD at Cook County Morgue. 
The Disaster Squad maintainea their results
of identification and fingerprints obta. -d by them.
i
35? a 44/, Ami/?7 1
:30
SERIALIZEDEHLED 
xal/f/W/ 1973 

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OPTIONAL FORM no. to
MAY 1962 EDITION
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.:

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum
TO SAC, CHICAGO (149-1060)
FROM 2 SA ROBERT E. -C-
SUBJECT: CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES

FLIGHT 553, BOEING 737,
ILLINOIS, 12/8/72

DAMV

00: Chicago

DATE: 1/31/73

All pertinent information developed by the Chicago
Office concerning captioned matter was furnished to the National

Taansportation Saftey Board.

It is recommended this matter be closed.

 

 


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Date: 6~6~73 

I

Transmit the following in PMINTEXT I

(Type in plaintext or code) 
Vm TELETYPE URGENT I v/
(Priority) i 1

.L 

TO ACTING DIRECTOR, FBI (149?10024)
FROM 
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 553, BOEING 737, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
12/8/72. DAMV. 00: CHICAGO
RE BUREAU FACSIMILE THIS DATE.
FOR INFO OF BUREAU, RESULTS OF ALL INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED
BY THE CHICAGO OFFICE CONCERNING CAPTIONED CRASH WEREENEDE 
ABLE To THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY IMMEDIATELY
AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS APPARENTLY NO VIOLATION OF
THE DAMV STATUTE IN THIS CRASH. THERE IS NO FURTHER INFORMATION
IN THE CHICAGO FILE CONCERNING THIS CRASH. THIS INFORMATION WAS
FURNISHED TO NTSB ON DECEMBER 11, 1972. AS THE BUREAU IS AWARE,
THE PURPOSE OF THE FBI INVESTIGATION WAS TO DETERMINE IF THERE
WAS A VIOLATION OF THE DAHV STATUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRASH.
APPROXIMATELY 50 PERSONNEL ARRIVED AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH,
STARTING WITHIN 45 MINUTES OF THE CRASH AND CONTINUING FOR AN
ADDITIONAL HOUR. AGENTS WERE DISPATCHED TO THE TOWER AT MIDWAY
1/ng 7'0 i/V Fer?'22 Oman?! 15416574?? 
INASMUCH As INVESTIGATIVE STEPSTO DETERMINE IF

G: ,2 a;
THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF THE CRASH OF THE AIRCRAFT.

33/ - 



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1-.- BUREAU 
KMG 

 

 

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Approved: Sent 


Special went in Charge

 

 

 

 

 

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PAGE TWO
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES

THE FACT THAT AGENTS ARRIVED BEFORE NTSB INVESTIGATORS
Is CERTAINLY NO REFLECTION ON THE FBI, BUT PERHAPS ON NTSB. THE
TECHNICAL ABILITY OF THE AGENTS WHO RECOGNIZED THE STALL SIGNAL IN
THE VOICE RECORDER OCCASIONED SOME COMMENT FROM NTSB INASMUCH AS
THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY NOT ANARE OF THE ABILITIES OF OUR INVESTIGATORS.
THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL ON THE PART OF THE FBI IN ITS 
TION NOR HAS IT A INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE. THE CHICAGO
OFFICE DISPATCHED SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION
IN AN EFFORT To DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A VIOLATION. WHEN IT WAS
DEVELOPED THAT THERE APPARENTLV HAS NO VIOLATION OVER WHICH THIS
BUREAU HAD ALL OUR INFORMATION WAS TURNED OVER TO
NTSBI NTSB HAS RECEIVED SERIES OF ALL INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY
THE FBI IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND THERE IS NOTHING WHATSOEVER IN
THE CHICAGO FILE WHICH COULD BE ADDED TO THE INFORMATION ALREADY
FURNISHED.

IT IS POINTED OUT THAT AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH, NTSB INP
VESTIGATORS AND FAA REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF
UNITED AIRLINES WERE MOST APPRECIATIVE OF THE ACTIONS OF THE FBI.

AT NO TIME DID THE FBI INTERFERE WITH THE ACTIONS OF THE 

PD OR WITH THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT, 0N WHOM RESPONSIBILITY
RESTED T0 SECURE THE SITE OF THE CRASH CONTROL THE CROWDS. 

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PAGE THREE
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES

IT IS POINTED OUT ALSO THAT IN THE LETTER TO ACTING DIRECTOR
RUCKELSHAUS FROM JOHN H. REED IT IS MENTIONED THAT MRS. E. HOWARD
HUNT WAS KILLED IN THE CRASH AND SHE IS THE WIFE OF AN INDIVIDUAL
CONNECTED IN THE WATERGATE INVESTIGATION. FOR THE INFORMATION
OF THE BUREAU, THE CHICAGO OFFICE WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS 
SHIP AT THE TIME IT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH AND WAS NOT
AWARE OF HER IDENTITY UNTIL THE FBI PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
WAS COMPLETED. THE FACT THAT SHE WAS ABOARD THAT AIRCRAFT HAD
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH FBI ACTION IN THIS INSTANCE. THE
FACT THAT $10,000 WAS FOUND IN THE POSSESSION OF MRS. HUNT BY
PERSONS WHO WERE CONDUCTING SALVAGE OPERATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT
ALSO OCCURRED AFTER THE FBI HAD REMOVED ITSELF FROM THE IMMEDIATE
INVESTIGATION. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTEDY NO
REASON FOR ANYBODY TO MAKE AN ALLEGATION THAT THE FBI PARTICIPATED
IN THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE IT WAS CONNECTED WITH WATERGATE.

IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DISASTER SQUAD FROM THE
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION ARRIVED IN CHICAGO SHORTLY AFTER THE
DISASTER AND IN COOPERATION WITH UNITED AIRLINES, THE CHICAGO PD
EFFECTED IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEAD PASSENGERS. THIS ROUTINE
INVESTIGATION ON THE PART OF THE FBI AND HAD ABSOLUTELY NO

CONNECTION WITH A POSSIBLE DAMV VIOLATION.

IT IS AGAIN REITERATED THERE WAS ABSOLUTEEY NOTHING UNUSUAL
OR UNTYPICAL IN THE EARTICIPATION OF THIS CRASH. THE IN-
VESTIGATION OF THE ACTUAIICRASH WAS TERMINATED WITHIN 20 HOURS OF
THE ACCIDENT AND ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION FURNISHED T0 NTSB.

 

 

A VI 

FD-aai. 5-22-64Date: 6" I ?73 

Transmit the following in PLAINTEXT 
(Type in plaintext or code) I

URGENT i
I



(Priority)


T0 ACTING DIRECTOR, 
FROM SAC, 
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 553, BOEING 737, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
12-8-72. DAMV. 00: CHICAGO.

RE CHICAGO TEL JUNE 6 LAST AND BU PHONE CALL TO CHICAGO THIS
DATE.

SA ROBERT E. HARTZ PROCEEDED T0 MIDWAY TOWER SHORTLY AFTER
CRASH OF UNITED FLIGHT 553. HE WAS DISPATCHED TO MIDWAY TOWER

54

AS A LOGICAL INVESTIGATIVE STEP TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A POSSIBLI
VIOLATION OF THE DAMV STATUTE CONCERNED WITH THE UNITED AIRLINE
FIJGHT CRASH. EN ARRIVING AT THE TOWER, SA HARTZ IDENTIFIED HIM-
SELF AS AN FBI AGENT AND EXPLAINED THE REASON FOR HIS PRESENCE.

HE WAS INVITED BY THE CHIEF FAA REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TOWER AND

BY MR. NEAL CALLAHAN, PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR, FAA REGIONAL
HEADQUARTERS, CHICAGO. TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDING MADE IN THE TOWER
OF THE CONVERSATION HELD BY THE TOWER WITH UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT
553. AT NO TIME DID SA HARTZ REQUEST TO BE ALLOWED TO LISTEN TO
THE TAPES. AFTER LISTENING TO THE TAPES, SA HARTZ IDENTIFIED A

SOUND AS BEING THAT OF THE STALL INDICATOR ON THE AIRCRAFTApproved: 9, f< Sent on? Per 

 

I-BUREAU 


 

Special Age?t in

     
   

 

 

 



PAGE TWO
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 553
FAA PERSONNEL AGREED THAT SA HARTZ WAS RIGHT AND IMMEDIATELY
NOTIFIED FAA HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON.

THE RESULTS OF THE CHICAGO FBI INVESTIGATION WERE TURNED
OVER TO MR. BILL LAMB 0F NTSB ON DECEMBER 11, 1972. MR. LAMB
WAS MOST PROFUSE IN HIS THANKS TO THE FBI FOR THIS ASSISTANCE
IN THIS INVESTIGATION.

 

 

 

.. 7"
W-SS (Rev. 5-22-64) . .

Via

 

a.

 

 

FBI
Date: 6- 14-73
Transmit the following in PLAI NTEXT
(Type in plaintext or code)
TELETYPE HRGENT 
(Priority) ?7



TO ACTING DIRECTOR, 
FROM SAC, 
CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 553, BOEING 737, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
12-8~72. DAMV. OO: CHICAGO.
RE CHICAGO TELS 6/6 AND 7/73.
FOR INFO OF BUREAU, NTSB CALLED A HEARING AT THE SHERATON-

MOTEL NEAR FIELD SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF HEARING

TESTIMONY ON THE PART OF SHERMAN SKOLNICK. THIS HEARING WAS CALLED
AT REQUEST OF UNITED AIRLINES INASMUCH AS SKOLNICK HAD MADE MANY
ACCUSATIONS ACCUSING UNITED AIRLINES, COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM,
FEDERAL AVIATION ADHINISTRATION AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF BEING
IMPLICATED ALLEGED COVERUP OF THE CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES
FLIGHT 553.

THE HEARING WAS CONVENED JUNE 13, 1973, AND IS CONTINUING

che'g/Ju Of?ccwc: 5

THROUGH 6-14. SKOLNICK HAS MADE CONCERNING THE
FBI, ONE OF WHICH WAS THAT 100 FBI AGENTS WERE STAKED OUT IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE CRASH BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN ADVISED BEFOREHAND

THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS GOING TO CRASH. SKOLNICK HAS ACCUSED FBI

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.

PAGE TWO CRASH OF UNITED AIRLINES

AGENTS OF REMOVING TWO MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE AIRCRAFT. HE HAS
ALLEGED THAT MANY OF THE PASSENGERS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT DIED OF
CYANIDE POISONING. HE HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONNECT THE CRASH OF
UNITED AIRLINES WITIFTRE WATERGATE INVESTIGATION BECAUSE OF THE

FACT THAT THE WIFE OF E. HOWARD HUNT WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND
#5ch Ara/m5 axe/245,9! 72: 1664?); 
WAS KILLED. ?u 4147/14? x7267?; if"
6557?? ?J/Cl?f ,ri/LA chda?L Calf/cc?n?/
THE CHICAGO OFFICE HAS HAD NO OBSERVER PRESENT AT THESE
AM 067195 NW 7 MHz-wan 
HEARINGS. UNITED AIRLINES SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE KEPT TRIS

OFFICE ADVISED OF TESTIMONY.

THE NEWS MEDIA IN THE CHICAGO AREA HAVE BEEN GIVING COVERAGE
TO THE HEARING BUT RAVE INDICATED THAT TESTIMONY AND
THE TESTIMONY OF THE WITNESSES HE CALLED HAS SEEN COMELETELY
77:: fAiifS f?
UNSUBSTANTIATED, . hr: *1 ,7 ?fa?w 3m: rm?ggeas fgx??mis
waiter 54?54p9?h?5 v.5 
IN ATTENDANCE, UNITED AIRLINES SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE ADVISED

    

   
   

-

 
 

THAT EVERYTHING THAT SKOLNI CK HAS STATED CONCERNING THE CRASH
HAS NOT BEEN SUBSTANTIATED AND IS OBVI OUSLY A FIGMENT OF 
IMAGINATION.

THIS INFO BEING FURNISHED TO BUREAU BECAUSE OF THE NEWS
COVERAGE OF THE HEARING AND THE POSSIBILITY BUREAU MAY RECEIVE

INQUI RIES .

 

 

 a
OPTIONAL FORM ND. 10- . .

MAY I982 EDITION
can FPMR (41 can) 10141.3

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

TO SAC (149?1060) DATE: 9/10/73

FROM ASAC JOHN w. 

CRASH OF UNITED AIR LINES
FLIGHT #553, BOEING 737,
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
12/8/72
DAMV

SHERMAN SKOLNICK telephonically contacted
me at 9:56 AM this date and stated that he just wanted
to be sure that the four pieces of paper belonging to
Mrs. HUNT (Mrs. E. HOWARD HUNT) which were received at
the Chicago Office of the FBI this morning were not
destroyed. SKOLNICK was extremely in his remarks
and added, "we know what the contents of the papers are,?
and, "We will withhold any comment about them for a
short time.?

When requested to furnish additional details
concerning the delivery of the papers and/or their
contents, SKOLNICK only stated that the papers were
delivered to the second in command of the Chicago Office.
At this point I advised SKOLNICK that I was the Assistant
Special Agent in Charge and had not received any such
papers. SKOLNICK refused to furnish any additional
information concerning this matter other than to say that
he was a "public minded citizen" and wasnerely suggesting
that the papers not be destroyed.

A check with the receptionist as well as the
complaint agents and the appropriate supervisor handling
captioned case developed no information concerning any
papers received at the office. 

- 11736) 

It is noted that at approximately 10:10 AM this
date Supervisor GRANT received a telephonic inquiry from

 

1 

-
1913 
FBI CHICAGO 7%

Buy Saving: Bond: Regularly an the Pay? all Savih?rr?liil?'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5010-?08-02

 

 

CG 149-1060

City News concerning the FBI's possession of papers
belonging to Mrs. HUNT ref?rred to by SKOLNICK. This
inquiry was answered to the effect that this office had
no knowledge of what Mr. SKOLNICK Was talking about
relative to the four papers.