Still a Mystery

Ever since Dag Hammarskjold's DC-6 crashed and burned in the forest near Ndola. Northern Rhodesia, eight months ago, the United Nations has been trying to determine whether it was an accident or sabotage. Last week, after hearing dozens of witnesses in five cities, an investigating commission issued its final verdict: Cause unknown.

A Swiss scientist who examined the wreckage decided that the cause was probably "human failure" by the pilot. But the U.N. panel refused to accept or reject this possibility, remained similarly noncommittal toward any other theory, including sabotage by Katanga forces, who were battling U.N. troops at the time.

The only new finding: a grim postscript from the Swedish Royal Medical Board. Contrary to earlier belief, the Secretary-General did not die instantly when he was thrown clear of the burning plane, but lay struggling for air in the bush until he suffocated because of injuries to his lungs, chest and spine.

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