Page:CAB Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 9.pdf/10

 The nearest poles are about 300 feet from the north side of the number one runway, which is approximately 5,600 feet long and is used extensively by airplanes landing when instrument conditions prevail. The terrain east of the runway is favorable for such landings and neon approach lights extend for a distance of 1,500 feet east of the end of the runway. In addition, the west leg of the St. Louis radio range (the radio range station is located 2¼ miles east of the airport) roughly parallels the number one runway, lying about 275 feet north of the runway at the eastern boundary of the field, and is used by pilots as an auxiliary aid in locating the runway under instrument conditions.

Joseph N. Dorst, Chairman of the Municipal Airport Commission, St. Louis, Missouri, who testified concerning the location of the new Curtiss Wight factory, stated that a master airport plan had been prepared recently which provided, among other changes, for the re-location of the number one runway to the south. Mr. Dorst stated that in order to expedite this re-location, the Municipal Airport Commission had authorized the filling of a low area in the southeast portion of the airport with dirt excavated in connection with the construction of the Curtiss Wright factory. The location and extent of this area is indicated on Figure A. In order to do this work, it was necessary for trucks to operate back and forth across the number one runway at a point approximately 1,500 feet from the northeast end of the runway. In this operation, dirt was spilled on the runway forming mud during wet weather which not only prevents the use of that part of the runway but creates a hazard at that point on the runway for air carriarcarrier [sic] aircraft landing and taking off. Ralph W. Page, Manager of the Airport testified that this dirt was