- 3 -
the MLS weather. GTF ARTCC dld contact Flight 32 at 2033 and gave it the above weather report, again omitting the word "showers". Flight 32 acknowledged at 2034. GTF ARTCC then cleared the flight as follows: "Roger Frontier 32 is cleared for an approach[1] to the Miles City Airport cruise 7000 contact Miles City Radio one two six point seven on initial." The flight acknowledged and read the clearance back correctly.
At 2035, GTF ARTCC advised MLS FSS "Frontier thirty two DC three estimated Miles City zero three four two at presently cruising seven thousand Billings Victor two he has been cleared for an approach your frequency on initial." MLS FSS acknowledged and GTF ARTCC then advised MLS FSS that Flight 32 had been given the 2030 special weather observation.
At 2045 Flight 32 reported to the FSS that it was over the VOR starting the approach. The FSS acknowledged and gave the 2030 special weather report. Also, about 2045 the flight contacted the FAL company agent at MLS and advised that it had passed over the VOR at 2042, commencing an approach with a "fuel out of 485 gallons."[2] The FAL station agent read the transmission back and gave the flight the wind, 290 degrees, 20 with peak gusts to 30 knots. The FAL agent then advised the flight to standby for a traffic check.[3] Flight 32 acknowledged. The agent checked for local traffic and advised "No traffic sighted advise if you want rudder lock on runway." Flight 32 acknowledged at 2047 and asked for the rudder lock. The station agent replied that he would have the rudder lock ready and asked when the flight would be on the ground. The flight replied that it would be three minutes and the station agent acknowledged. This was the final transmission between the flight and the station agent.
Flight 32 reported at 2048 to the MLS FSS over the VOR inbound. The FSS replied with advisory information that the surface wind at the Miles City Airport was from 300 degrees at 20 knots with peak gusts 30 knots, favoring Runway 30, altimeter 29.43. Flight 32 acknowledged and said "we'll plan three zero." This was the last radio contact between the flight and the MLS FSS.
The elapsed time from when the aircraft was over the VOR commencing the approach (2042), as reported to the FAL station agent, to over the VOR inbound (2048), as reported to the FSS, was six minutes.
In none of the transmissions from the flight was there any mention of operational distress or of weather conditions encountered.
At 2050, or very close thereto, the aircraft struck the ground. The crash site was approximately 1-1/2 miles northeast of the VOR on the 32-degree radial of the VOR.[4]
- ↑ There are four FAA-approved public instrument approach procedures applicable to the VLS Airport. These are a VOR, an ADF and two VOR/DME approaches. Only two VOR or the ADF approaches could have been utilized by Flight 32 as at was not equipped with DME (Distance Measuring Equipment). (See Attachment "A".)
- ↑ This means that there would be 485 gallons of fuel on the aircraft (without fuellng) upon departing Miles City.
- ↑ Since there is no control tower at the Miles City Airport, Frontier Airlines requires their local agent to make a visual check for other aircraft operating at the airport and to report the results to incoming flights.
- ↑ The 032 radial is on a direct line from the VOR station to the approach end of Runway 4.
