Flight 161 that the wind was calm, that lights to mark the landing area on the surface of the water were laid out on a 70° course, that no traffic was in the area, and that it was cleared to contact the company service launch for final landing instructions.
At 2109, Flight 161 was advised, "no traffic, you are number one to land in the Corcorite area." Cramer continues his course over the row of lights and made a turn into the right-hand traffic pattern. Inasmuch as the plane's altitude was too high for the final approach, Goyette advised Cramer that it would be necessary to circle the landing area again. Cramer complied, passed over the landing area a second time and started another 360° turn, this time to the left. Goyette then advised Cramer that, because of adjacent hills a left-hand pattern was not desirable and Cramer turned into the right-hand pattern. This downwind course was continued for 1½ minutes beyond the No. 1 landing area light. A 180° turn for the final approach placed the plane at approximately 3 miles from the No. 1 light at an altitude of about 1,000 feet.
According to the testimony of Capt. Goyette, a final approach was started with a rate of descent of 600 feet per minute and an airspeed of 105 knots[1]. At an altitude of 800 feet the rate of decent was reduced to about 300 feet per minute with the airspeed remaining between 100 and 105 knots. When approximately 700 feet above the surface the left landing light was turned on and the service launch was advised that the flight was on final approach. At an altitude of about 400 feet a light haze was encountered which captain Goyette stated did not materially affect the visibility. At about 300 feet, the manifold pressure was reduced from 20 to 15 inches in accordance with standard landing procedure. Goyette stated that at this time he noted the position of the aircraft as about ½ mile from the No. 1 light.
- 2 -
- ↑ 100 knots is approximately 115 miles per hour.
