Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 9.pdf/22

This page has been validated.

- 18 -

when used on the Municipal Airport at Chicago. Moreover, the variance of the depth of the wheel tracks on the Lambert-St. Louis Airport indicates that the brakes were operating properly during the landing but very little traction could be obtained at the time due to the wet condition of the field upon which the landing was effected.

Conduct of the Flight

During the investigation, consideration was given to the way in which all concerned with the flight performed their duties and the manner in which all of the equipment involved in the flight operated. Captain Susott and First Officer Phillips agreed that the engines, propellers, airplane controls, and radio equipment were functioning normally during the entire flight. While there is some evidence that there was a dog leg or bend in the west leg of the St. Louis radio range at the Lambert-St. Louis Airport on December 11, 1940, it does not appear that this condition contributed in any manner to the accident. The weather forecasts and observations upon which Captain Susott depended were made without substantial error and the dispatching by American Airlines personnel was in accordance with proper procedure.

With the ceiling and visibility at the minimums prescribed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration for the operations of American Airlines at the Lambert-St. Louis Airport and with special caution indicated by those conditions, we find that the landing of NC 16015 by Captain Susott involved errors of technique, knowledge, and judgment.