that area and the accident site was included in an extensive zone of low cloudiness and precipitation associated with these synoptic features.
The aviation area forecast for West Virginia, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office at Suitland, Maryland, valid for a 12 hour period, beginning at 1400, was, in part, as follows
- Low pressure developing over the southeastern states and centered over northeastern Alabama, expected to move northeastward at 15 to 20 knots will lie over western North Carolina southwestern Virginia by 0200.
- Flight precaution recommended throughout forecast area because of lowering ceilings and visibilities and also because of occasional turbulence and possible icing.
- Over West Virginia... generally ceiling 1,000 to 2,000 feet overcast, 3 to 6 miles, haze, occasional ceiling 300 to 500 feet overcast, 1 to 2 miles, fog, scattered right. Conditions lowering more extensively after 1700, becoming more frequently ceiling 500 to 1,00 feet overcast, 1-1/2 to 3 miles, light rain, fog, and occasional ceiling 300 to 500 feet overcast, 3/4 to 1-1/2 miles, light rain, fog, with light rain to occasional moderate rain.
- Freezing level 6,000 to 8,000 feet over mountains... occasional moderate icing in clouds likely above freezing level...
The terminal forecast for Huntington, issued at 1145, and valid for a 12- hour period beginning at 1200 was in part as follows:
- 1200-2100, ceiling 500 feet overcast, w miles, light rain, fog, smoke, wind 030°, 12 knots, variable to ceiling 300 feet overcast, 1 mile, light rain, fog.
The next routine terminal forecast was issued at 1745, valid for a 12-hour period beginning at 1800 and was in part as follows:
- 6 -
