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- Shortly after passing over the west boundary of the airport, the pilot started a left turn; while in the turn the airplane contacted trees 113 feet above the level of the airport and 2,200 feet southwest of the southwest and of runway No. 4.
- Full power was applied to the engines in an attempt to pull up but other trees were struck and the pilot lost control. The aircraft crashed to the ground at a point approximately one-fourth of a mile southwest of the airport boundary.
- Captain Scott was flying the airplane during the entire flight from Kansas City to St. Louis and was at the controls at the time the airplane first contacted the trees.
- Aircraft NC 17135 and all of its equipment functioned normally up until the time the accident occurred.
Probable Cause
Upon the basis of tho foregoing findings and the entire record available to us at this time, we find that the probable cause of the accident to NC 17315 (TWA Trip 6) on January 23, 1941, was the action of the pilot in attempting a landing under adverse weather conditions in disregard of the minimums prescribed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration and in maneuvering for such landing at a dangerously low altitude.
Recommendations
- The Board recommends that the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics encourage the development and installation of a continuously monitoring apparatus for ceiling light projectors at all airports used by air carriers.
