Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 20.pdf/18

This page has been validated.

- 16 -

the aircraft to be 15 degrees to the east of the runway No. 6. The unpaved section of runway No. 6 north of the intersection of the north-south runway and the northeast-southwest runway showed no wheel tracks of any description which would indicate that the aircraft had touched the ground prior to reaching the intersection of the two runways.

Conduct of the Flight

The dispatching of the flight from Chicago, Illinois, to Cincinnati, Ohio, was in accordance with proper procedure. On the basis of current weather reports and forecasts, clearance was properly issued for instrument operation between these points.

It appears that the Cincinnati radio range was functioning in the proper manner during the period of the flight. The range was monitored by the Civil Aeronautics Administration's communication stations immediately after notification of the accident and nothing was discovered which would indicate any malfunctioning of the range. Captain Bryant testified that there was no malfunctioning of any of the radio aids either along the route flown or at Cincinnati.

Captain Bryant stated that there was no difficulty in the operation of the aircraft during the flight which indicated in any manner the presence of a mechanical or structural defect except that two-way radio communication with company stations was often interupted by rain static. A subsequent examination of the wreckage gave no indication of any structural or mechanical failure prior to the crash and confirmed the testimony of Captain Bryant. After removal from the aircraft the radio receivers and transmitters were found to be functioning properly.