Weather Conditions
It is apparent from the evidence that weather conditions in the area involved were entirely satisfactory for the flight. United States Weather Bureau records indicate that the ceiling and visibility were unlimited, with high cloudiness,[1] before, during and after the flight. These reports were fully substantiated by the testimony of two Western Air Lines captains who operated flights in the vicinity of the accident about 1½ hours after the accident occurred.
Examination of the Wreckage
The examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of failure of any part of the airplane or its equipment prior to impact.
It appears probable that the airplane struck the face of the cliff while approximately level longitudinally and laterally, and while proceeding straight ahead under cruising power. The first contact was apparently made by the left wing with a protruding ledge. The marks or scars on the cliff, apparently made by the wings, were in approximately level alignment. The position of the wreckage can be most reasonably explained on the hypothesis that the impact occurred while the airplane was in a level attitude. Portions of the airplane and of its contents were found on the top ledge of the cliff, some 80 feet above, and 400 or 500 feet distant from, the point of impact, a result which tends to negate the possibility that the airplane was in a diving attitude. On the other hand, the tops of trees immediately below the point of impact showed no
- ↑ High cloudiness is not inconsistent with the existence of unlimited ceiling and visibility. Ceiling is considered unlimited when clouds cover less than one-half of the sky or when the base of the clouds is more than 9,750 feet above the point of observation. Visibility is the mean greatest distance toward the horizon that prominent objects can be seen and identified by the normal eye. Visibility is considered unlimited when its extent is 10 miles or more.
