Page:Aviation Accident Report, United Air Lines Flight 8.pdf/2

File No. 2922-42

allowable limits. Captain Lewis stated that, "the airplane had a trace of ice on the wings, which the de-icers did not remove, and although negligible, influenced me to keep the airspeed previously mentioned until the field boundary was crossed." A similar statement was made by First Officer Mayne.

Moline Airport has three paved runways: The east-west (No. 9) is approximately 2950 feet long; while the northeast-southwest is 3,850 feet, and the northwest-southeast is about 4,100 feet in length. Runway No. 9 is seldom used due to its shortness and the fact that local winds seldom require its use. The captain was informed that braking action was poor but was not advised that Runway No. 9 was covered with sheet ice coated with three inches of dry snow which had not adhered to the ice. The company station manager at Moline stated that the field had not been cleared since December 18, (three days prior to the accident) as conditions had remained approximately the same, with some variations due to temperature change. At the time of this inspection no particular attention was given Runway No. 9. The northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast runways, which intersect No. 9, were extremely slippery at the time of the accident. The more favorable condition of those other runways, as compared with No. 9, appears to have been the result of traffic on them throughout the weather event of alternate thawing and freezing, which had produced a roughened surface. The wind from the east was negligible and a landing could have been accomplished on either of the longer runways.

Subsequent to this accident, United issued instructions to the effect that it is the Station Manager's responsibility to make actual observations and keep company operations advised on any unusual field conditions which might be considered detrimental to safe, normal operations.