Page:CAB Accident Report, AAXICO Logair Flight 1416B.pdf/3

- 3 - should be breaking into a condition of clear visibility of three miles."

The captain further stated, "... it is advantageous to both the company and the crews to go VFR direct ... the tower gave us landing Runway 18 and the weather which indicated landing (on) 36 was very feasible and to the advantage of the company and myself to continue straight in."

The first officer testified that when 35 to 40 miles out he saw lightning in the Whiteman area. All crewmembers reported, however, that there was no hail or lightning observed during the approach. The first officer stated he was looking ahead to pick up the runway and the visibility dropped to near zero in the area of heavy rain. He also stated that his ILS indicator indicated that they were about one dot high on the glide slope but on the localizer. He further stated that he was monitoring the altimeter and when it indicated 1,150 feet he crosschecked with thec aptain's altimeter and found it to be in agreement, he yelled "minimums, let's go around." The captain ordered maximum power and flaps to 20 degrees. The four engines responded symmetrically. The captain rotated the aircraft by back pressure on the yoke and both pilotes stated they observed a corresponding attitude change on their artificial horizons. At about this time the first officer observed the aircraft making contact with the trees. The captain retarded the throttles as the aircraft making contact with the trees. The captain retarded the throttles as the aircraft continued into the trees and made contact with the ground. The crew stated that at no time during the approach did they see Whiteman AFB, the runway, the runway lights or the approach lights. The tower controller testified that at no time during the approach did they see Whiteman AFB, the runway, the runway lights or the approach lights. The tower controller testified that at no time during the approach did he see the aircraft. A study of times of the recorded transmissions between the flight and Whiteman Control Tower indicated that the accident occurred at approximately 0600:52.

1.2 Injuries to Persons

1.3 Damage to Aircraft

The aircraft was destroyed by impact and ground fire.

1.4 Other Damage

The aircraft damaged some trees, severed and electrical power line and tore down a section of the Whiteman AFB perimeter fence.

1.5 Crew Information

Captain Ernest A. Tripp, age 43, held Airline Transport Pilot (ATR) certificate No. 306115 issued February 25, 1958, with type ratings in the C-46, DC-4, DC-6, and DC-7. He had accumulated a total of 15,498.4 hours pilot time which included 2,389.3 hours in the DC-6. He satisfactorily passed a first-class medical examination and was issued a certificate dated January 14, 1965, with no limitations. Captain Tripp received his original check as a DC-6 captain on January 17,