Page:CAB Accident Report, AAXICO Logair Flight 1416B.pdf/9

- 9 - The pitot-static system was checked with a Burton test set. This test detected a leak in the captain's static system which was isolated to a section of line between the manifold mounted on the pressure bulkhead and the static port on the left side of the aircraft. Subsequent testing of the individual line did not disclose the source of the leak.

The VOR receivers and glide slope receivers were also removed from the wreckage as well as the cockpit ILS indicators. All units, including the localizer function of the VOR receivers, were tested and found to be operating satisfactorily.

2. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS

2.1 Analysis

Evidence resulting from the investigation indicated that there was no significant malfunctioning of the aircraft, its systems, or its components nor were there any malfunctions of the NAVAID systems at Whiteman AFB prior to aircraft impact. The measurements found on the flap actuators correspond to a flap setting of 20 degrees and the fully extended retract cylinders are representative of the landing gear being in the down position. These findings are in accord with and verify the crew's testimony as to the configuration of the aircraft.

The leak found in the captain's pitot-static system is attributed to a loose fitting since the leak could not be duplicated when the involved section of the line was tested. Since there are separate systems for the captain's and first officer's altimeters, this leak is not considered as being in the causative area. Had the leak been present prior to impact and of sufficient magnitude to have caused a discrepancy between the two altimeters, it would have been noted by the crewmembers prior to commencing the approach.

After departing Tinker AFB and climbing through an overcast the flight continued in VFR conditions. Upon arrival in the Whiteman AFB area the crew noticed a storm to the west of the base. This storm extended to the south and east preventing their seeing the base or the runway. The storm was moving southeasterly but the area to the east of the base was clear. Radio contact was made with the base when the flight was 29 miles south. The flight was given weather information which indicated to the crew that the base was VFR and they could see that at least part of the storm was lying between their position and the base. One minute later the crew was informed that it was raining at the base.

At ten miles out the flight was cleared to land and given weather information that indicated the base was VFR with light rain showers. The base and runway were still obscured from the crew's vision by the storm. While proceeding between the outer marker and middle marker in the area of heavy rain with restricted visibility, the crew again asked for the weather conditions and were given information indicating that the base was still VFR with light rain showers. However, conditions in which the aircraft was operating at this time were definitely not VFR. As the captain testified, his intention at this time was to penetrate the area of poor weather conditions caused by the thunderstorm, the center of which was approaching the base from the west, and be out in the clear in time to make a VFR landing. According to the captain's testimony he believed that at any moment, "... they would break out of the shower activity into a condition which was given as 1,700 feet and three