Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 383.pdf/6

– 5 – started another left turn and we were in maybe a 10 to 16 degree bank ... I heard what I thought at the time to be hydraulic flap motors actuating, unwinding toward the rear of the airplane and it was just immediately after this that we made contact with the ground, with quite a large bang, and it seemed like the destruction of the airplane."

He stated that on impact he was thrown to the floor of the cabin with a great deal of debris piling on top of him. Although momentarily stunned he remembered seeing flame coming from the rear of the cabin and after extricating himself from the debris made his way forward and stepped out of the front of the aircraft which was completely missing. A few moments later the aircraft exploded and began to burn intensely.

During the final portion of the approach he remembered seeing strobe light reflections from scud clouds below the aircraft and a little water running horizontally along his window. He stated that when we first left the aircraft it was not raining but that a heavy downpour commenced approximately 30 seconds later.

The surviving stewardess who was occupying a forward jump seat, and the two surviving passengers were thrown from the aircraft at impact and were unable to recall any significant occurrences relating to the flight, final approach, or their egress from the aircraft.

The location of the crash site was approximately two miles north of the approach end of runway 18 and 1/4 mile to the left of the extended centerline.

Initial impact was made by the right wing of the aircraft with a tree at an altitude of 665 feet m.s.l.; 225 feet below the published airport elevation of 890 feet m.s.l.

The accident occurred at 1901:27 during the hours of darkness.

1.2 Injuries to Persons

Post-mortem examination of the flight crewmembers revealed no evidence to indicate any pre-existing disease that might have affected the performance of their duties.

1.3 Damage to Aircraft

The aircraft, with the exception of the right outboard wing and tail assembly, was destroyed by ground impact and fire.

1.4 Other Damage

The impact area was a wooded hillside which received damage to trees in the impact swath of the aircraft.