Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 383.pdf/4

– 3 – {|
 * || 1859:23 || Tower || "In sight cleared to land runway one eight American three eight three.
 * || 1859:28 || AA 383 || "We're cleared to land Roger.
 * || 1859:29 || AA 383 || "How far west is that precip line now?
 * || 1859:30 || Tower || "Looks like its just about over the field at this time sir, we're not getting any on the field, however.
 * || 1859:35 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * || 1859:40 || Tower || "If we have a windshift I'll keep you advised as you turn onto final.
 * || 1859:44 || AA 383 || "Thank you very much we'd appreciate it.
 * || 1900:06 || Tower || "American three eight three we are beginning to pickup a little rain right now.
 * || 1900:11 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * || 1901:11 || Tower || "American three eight three you still got the runway Okay?
 * || 1901:14 || AA 383 || "Ah just barely we'll ah pickup the ILS here.
 * || 1901:19 || Tower || "American three eight three approach lights, flashers and runway lights are all high intensity.
 * || 1901:22 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * }
 * || 1900:06 || Tower || "American three eight three we are beginning to pickup a little rain right now.
 * || 1900:11 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * || 1901:11 || Tower || "American three eight three you still got the runway Okay?
 * || 1901:14 || AA 383 || "Ah just barely we'll ah pickup the ILS here.
 * || 1901:19 || Tower || "American three eight three approach lights, flashers and runway lights are all high intensity.
 * || 1901:22 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * }
 * || 1901:14 || AA 383 || "Ah just barely we'll ah pickup the ILS here.
 * || 1901:19 || Tower || "American three eight three approach lights, flashers and runway lights are all high intensity.
 * || 1901:22 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * }
 * || 1901:22 || AA 383 || "Okay.
 * }

The acknowledgement, "Okay" at 1901:22 was the last known radio transmission made by American 383.

Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) tower personnel first observed the aircraft at a point approximately four miles east-southeast of the airport as it proceeded on the downwind leg in a northerly direction. (See Attachment #1.) It was stated that the aircraft's navigation lights were clearly visible and that the flight appeared to be operation at a normal traffic pattern altitude. One of the controllers stated that the aircraft passed about one mile to the east of the WCKY radio towers (located three miles east-northeast of the control tower), then commenced a left turn onto the base leg and started a gradual descent. The controller continued to watch the aircraft as it proceeded west on the base leg; however, at a point between two and three miles northeast of the airport it disappeared from his view. He stated that he believed the aircraft was lost from his view because it, "... appeared to fly into or behind weather phenomena."

Weather conditions at the time of initial contact with AA 383 were described by the tower controllers as being clear to the east and northeast with "clouds" and "lighting" observed to the northwest. As the aircraft proceeded on the base leg the clouds had moved over the field with light rain blowing on the west and north quadrants of the tower cab windows.