Goyette had flown Martin M-130 aircraft a total of approximately 1560 hours, he had never made a night landing in that type of aircraft at Port of Spain. Moreover, for at least two years and two months prier to the accident, Goyette had acted in the capacity of assistant chief pilot in charge of personnel, and although his duties included that of check pilot he was not a regular pilot on scheduled trips between Miami and Port of Spain at the time. However, Captain Goyette had made the proving run over this route three months prior to the accident to the satisfaction of a CAA Air Carrier Inspector and had since that time completed two additional flights. His wide experience in flying boat operation in addition to his familiarity over the route leaves no doubt that Goyette was qualified to serve as captain of this flight.
Captain Cramer's flying experience totaled approximately 7034 hours of which about 882 hours were flown in Sikorsky S-42 four-engine seaplanes. His employment with Pan American dated from April 1, 1942, and he had served as co-pilot and then as captain in the company's Eastern Division. The subject trip was the first flight made by Cramer over this route. Cramer had been checked out by the company in the Martin M-130 type aircraft three days before the departure of Flight 161, and this flying time, with the addition of his time for a portion of the flight from Miami to Port of Spain, constituted his total flying experience in an M-130. The company check flights in the M-130 included night landings but without cargo or passengers. Cramer's pilot certificate required him to wear corrective lenses when piloting, but he was not wearing glasses at the time of the accident.
Discussion:
Statements of the surviving occupants of the aircraft, examination of the damaged hull, and the record inscribed by the NACA V-G recorder leave little doubt that the Martin M-130 first contacted the water at more than normal landing speed and in an excessively nose-low attitude. Forces created by the
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