 Two weeks later , the Syrian authorities allowed Roddenberry to return to the United States . This near @-@ death experience had increased his desire to have children , and Eileen became pregnant shortly after his return . While back in the U.S. , he testified at a Civil Aviation Authority inquiry in New York alongside two other surviving crew members . All three were commended for their work following the crash for : " devotion to duty , their calmness and efficiency in the difficult and hazardous experience . " The crash investigation questioned the maintenance of the plane 's engines , as issues with them had been identified on a previous flight . The Roddenberrys ' first child , Darleen Anita , was born on April 4 , 1948 , and Eileen expressed concerns , following the crash , about raising the child alone . After the birth , Roddenberry continued to fly for Pan @-@ Am , but another incident , while flying out of La Guardia Airport , marked the end of his career as a pilot . On a particularly cold and snowy day , the controls froze during takeoff , almost causing the plane to stall . He resigned from Pan @-@ Am on May 15 , 1948 , and decided to pursue his dream of writing particularly for the new medium of television . 
