Page:CAB Accident Report, Continental Airlines Flight 12.pdf/7

- 7 - is equipped with high intensity runway lighting which was operational, in use, and on the brightest setting at the time of the accident. The surface texture of the runway was measured at the touchdown area and several other points along the runway. In the touchdown area the texture was slightly smoother than a float finish concrete surface used as a guide. The bituminous overlay was slightly rougher than float finish concrete used as a guide and was also rougher than textured concrete. The condition of the runway was reported to be good on the current Federal Aviation Facilities Record (FAA Form 29A) for this airport.

1.1 Flight Recorder

A Lockheed model 109C Flight Recorder, S/N 522, was installed in the aft area of the left main landing gear wheel well. There was no evidence of mechanical damage to the recorder; however, there was some mechanical damage to the recording tape. This damage did not interfere with the readout procedure.

The readout indicated that the aircraft touched down at approximately 137 knots indicated airspeed. The airspeed data after touchdown was not corrected for errors due to static source location, ground effect, and other factors which affect the indicated values.

1.12 Wreckage

Runway 18 was examined following the accident to establish the touchdown point, the track of the aircraft, and to recover any Components of the aircraft that might have been detached during the landing roll. No aircraft components were found on the runway.

At a point 1,050 feet south of the threshold of runway 18, clear, double, white scrub marks were found, on the right side of the runway centerline. These tracks were continuous, varying only in intensity, and terminated at the wreckage area. No marks were found on the left side of the runway until a single white mark appeared 6,200 feet past the runway threshold. At this same location, the right-hand marks changed from double to triple marks and indicated a turn towards the centerline of the runway. At the 6,300-foot point, the left hand track changed to triple tracks. Narrower white scrub marks appeared about halfway between the two sets of triple white marks 6,600 feet down the runway. These marks also followed the left turn shown by the triple tracks. Tracks continued through the dirt terminating at the position of the three landing gears in the wreckage area.

All the major aircraft components were in the main wreckage area.

The main fuselage was broken into three sections which were still partially attached by portions of skin, cable, and portions of through structure. Major fractures occurred at fuselage stations (FS) 600 and 1060. Portions of the bottom fuselage were crushed and torn. The wings were intact and remained attached to the fuselage. The horizontal and vertical tail surfaces were generally undamaged. The elevators and rudder were attached and operational.