(3) The entry requirements may be waived if the initial entry is made under VFT weather conditions; or if the air carrier shows that such qualifications can be made using approved pictorial means; or if the Administrator is notified that the air carrier intends to operate into an airport near one into which the pilot concerned is currently qualified, and the Administrator finds that such qualification is adequate for the new airport, considering at lease the pilot's familiarity with the layout, surrounding terrain, location of obstacles, and instrument approach and traffic control procedures at the new airport.
The original negotiations between Marshall University and Southern Airways resulted in initial rejection by Southern Airways because of the takeoff weight limitations of their aircraft. The subsequent negotiations resulted in a reduction in the weight of passengers and baggage to be carried from approximately 19,500 pounds to 17,500 pounds, and the charter flight was scheduled. The flight was then offered for bid to the pilots and assigned on the basis of seniority, the same as regularly scheduled flights.
The flight was dispatched initially from Atlanta for the entire charter sequence to Baton Rouge. At Kinston, the captain contacted the dispatcher in Atlanta and an update was accomplished by telephone. Both releases anticipated a landing on a wet runway at Huntington, and the 15 percent additional runway requirement was included in the landing distance computations.
The same aircraft, dispatchers, flight planning services, and supervising personnel were used in the charter operation as in the regularly scheduled service. In addition, a charter coordinator was assigned to assist the flightcrew in administrative matters generally involving ground operations. The coordinator's duties involved supervising and expediting ground operations, arranging for fueling, completing weight and balance forms, etc. In the performance of these duties, he normally communicated directly with the captain shortly before landing. Although he was permitted to enter the cock under these circumstances, he was not authorized to occupy the jumpseat. In this instance, the charter coordinator was in the cockpit during the instrument approach, and discussed the fueling at Huntington. He also commented, "Bet'll be a missed-approach" approximately 16 seconds before impact.
