Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 20.pdf/10

 meteorologist, called for a cruising altitude of 5,000 feet for the Chicago-Cincinnati portion of the route. His flying time was estimated as one hour and nine minutes from Chicago to Indianapolis and 38 minutes from Indianapolis to Cincinnati. The flight plan and clearance were approved by the Airway Traffic Control at Chicago, Illinois, prior to the departure of the flight. The aircraft was fueled at Chicago to depart with 621 gallons of gasoline in the tanks, which was more than sufficient for the trip from Chicago to Cincinnati at normal cruising power; and in case of necessity, provided a sufficient reserve to proceed from Cincinnati to Columbus, the alternate terminal, and thereafter for more than four hours.

Trip 20, with Captain Bryant at the controls, departed from the loading ramp at Chicago Municipal Airport at 5:15 p.m. (CST), and took off at 5:24 p.m., after having been detained on the ground a few moments by the Chicago airport control tower on account of other traffic. Captain Bryant climbed the aircraft to 5,000 feet above sea level and, flying at this altitude in accordance with his flight plan, proceeded on instruments toward Cincinnati. Position