Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 20.pdf/27

 7. At the time of departure from Chicago, Illinois, for Cincinnati, Ohio, the aircraft carried sufficient fuel to permit flight at normal cruising power to Cincinnati, thence to Columbus, its alternate airport, and thereafter for more than four hours.

8. Trip 20 proceeded normally from Chicago, Illinois, to Cincinnati, Ohio, until the final approach for a landing at Cincinnati was begun.

9. Weather reports for Cincinnati and its vicinity consistently had indicated lowering ceilings and some precipitation. However, the weather at Cincinnati remained equal to or better than those weather minimums authorized in American's letter of competency for that route.

10. The existence of a storm center in southern Illinois and western Kentucky and the fact that it was moving northeastward toward the line of flight of Trip 20 were known to Captain Bryant at the time of departure from Chicago. All indications were that Trip 20 would reach Cincinnati considerably in advance of the arrival of the storm front and the forecasts furnished Captain Bryant so indicated.

11. An unexpected acceleration of the entire low pressure system resulted in the arrival of a storm front at Cincinnati coincidentally with the arrival of Trip 20 with resulting turbulence below 3000 feet, violent rain squalls and ceiling of 1300 feet.

12. After arriving in the vicinity of the Cincinnati Airport with weather conditions still above contact minimums, Captain Bryant circled the landing area to the left in a normal manner in order to effect a landing on runway No. 6.

13. While executing a landing at Cincinnati Airport, Trip 20 encountered a sudden squall condition accompanied by heavy rain which