Considering the report again, I guess the physical evidence at the crash site regarding the aileron cable disconnect may not have been sufficient for a criminal conviction......although possibly sufficient for a civil case.
One of the most important lessons I ever got came from this case. After the cause became known, several people told my mom she should sue NWA. But we've been an NWA family for many years, and she wouldn't do it even though it would be easy money that we really could have used in those years. She said that the fact that you could get money out of someone didn't make it the right thing to do.
Regarding finding an Electra pilot, I have a friend who's a retired NWA Electra pilot, and I can't get him to read the furshlugginer thing. It's like pulling teeth.