ing, "... we're descending to five thousand."[1] The controller cleared them for a localizer approach to Runway 11 and added, "... the surface winds are favoring runway twenty-nine, three five zero degrees at six, altimeter two niner six seven..." The crew acknowledged this information and then the controller advised, "... the Huntington weather three hundred scattered, measured ceiling five hundred, variable broken, one thousand one hundred overcast, visibility five, light rain, fog, smoke, ceiling ragged variable four to six hundred."
At approximately 1933, the captain said that he would fly at 130 knots, and the first officer responded that he was checking the time, and the approach should take 2 minutes. At 1934, the crew reported passing the outer marker inbound, and they were cleared to land. The wind was then reported as 340°, 7 knots. Following a discussion of the approach lighting during which the crew requested "step three," the tower controller stated, "Roger, that's where they are, with the rabbit (sequence flasher). Advise when you want them cut." The crew's response, "Very good," was the last transcription received. At approximately 1936, tower personnel observed a red glow west of the airport. When no response to subsequent radio calls was received, the tower controller initiated the emergency.
Witnesses in the vicinity of the Runway 11 localizer course generally agreed that the aircraft was low, but otherwise appeared normal. The weather was described as vary between mist and light rain with low clouds. Some witnesses also indicated that visibility was restricted due to fog. However, one witness who was approximately two-thirds of a mile west of the initial impact site observed the aircraft pass approximately 300 feet above him and disappear from view beyond the hill. He saw the hill outlined in "good detail" by a glow from beyond the hill, and heard an increase in jet engine noise prior to the crash. Another witness, who was approximately 700 feet east of the initial impact, stated that the aircraft rolled to the right, almost inverted, and crashed into a steep, nosedown angle.
The tower controller stated that he maintained a continuous watch for SOU 932 once they reported passing the outer marker. Although he did not see the aircraft, he did observe the fire and explosion from the crash. He did not recall any differences between the reported and actual weather prior to the accident.
- ↑ A transcript of pertinent cockpit conversation is included in Appendix D.
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