Page:Aviation Accident Report, United Air Lines Flight 4.pdf/19

- 18 - COMMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The investigation of this accident emphasizes the need for establishing more precise and specific operational procedures at airports where the surrounding terrain makes any deviation from established flight paths hazardous. In view of the varying conditions existing at different airports, it appears that this objective could best be accomplished by administrative procedure rather than through standards established by the Civil Air Regulations. Accordingly, the Board directed a memorandum to the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics which stated, in part, as follows:

""Specifically, we believe that under night contact conditions the approach procedures at an airport surrounded by hazardous terrain should be as precise as under instrument conditions. Particularly is this true when the approach has been started under instrument conditions and contact established before reaching the range station. In the latter case the pilot's vision is almost invariably restricted to some degree. We also believe that procedures for ascent from such airports under flight contact conditions can be developed to increase safety without placing any material burden on either the pilot or the air carrier. This can be accomplished by requiring that at such airports a minimum altitude be reached before departure from the vicinity of the range station.""

In addition, tho Board submitted the following recommendation to the Administrator of Civil Aeronautics:

""In connection with the recent accident in Salt lake City on May 1, 1942, involving United Air Lines' plane, our staff believes that in the interest of safety the approach lights at the Salt lake City airport should be extended from the runway all the way to the range tower.""

Approved:

Baker and Warner, Members, did not take part in the decision.