Page:CAB Accident Report, Delta Air Lines Flight 15.pdf/1

 Adopted: December 2, 1941

File No.

Floyd Stevenson, Jr., a passenger on a scheduled air carrier, received minor injuries in an accident which occurred at Birmingham, Alabama, on January 4, 1941, about 10:00 a.m. The aircraft, a Lockheed Electra, Model 10-B, NC 14960, operated by Delta Air Corporation, was damaged extensively. No injuries were sustained by the two members of the crew or by the other two passengers. In command of the flight was Captain Edward C. Davis who held an airline transport certificate with 3S and 4M Land ratings and who had accumulated approximately 5,647 hours. Robert L. McKee, who held a commercial certificate with 4M Land and Instrument ratings and who had flown approximately 2,600 hours, was first officer.

Delta's Trip 15, on regular schedule from Atlanta Georgia, to Birmingham, Alabama, departed Atlanta at 8:32 a.m. The estimated flying time was 57 minutes and the flight plan called for 2000 feet altitude. When the flight was within 25 miles of its destination, it received from Birmingham information that the wind was calm with visibility reduced to one-half mile because of smoke. The flight was ordered to stay above the smoke level. The captain thought that he had been given a smoke level of 3000 feet. Upon checking with Birmingham, that figure was found to be in error and the true smoke level of 200 feet was established. The flight was ordered to stay at 2000 feet and it proceeded to the range station above the smoke level, arriving over the station at 9:29 a.m. The aircraft was flown out the north leg of the Birmingham range and, while so engaged, it was informed that another scheduled aircraft had reached the vicinity of the airport. Both that aircraft and the subject aircraft were asked whether either cared to land at that time. The captain of Trip 15 replied that because he was flying a shuttle trip, he would let the other aircraft in first. The flight proceeded for three and one-half minutes out the north leg of the range and then made a procedure turn back to the station. Again the aircraft was flown out the north leg and another procedure turn was made back to the station. The pilot stated that at this time he received a weather report giving the visibility at three-fourths of a mile. He acknowledged receipt of this report. The official Weather Bureau report indicates that the 9:35 a.m. observation disclosed that one-half mile visibility existed due to thick smoke. The landing gear was extended and an approach was started. The captain states that because a broadcast starting during his approach interrupted the reception of the radio range signal, he missed the field and started to climb out. While so engaged, he recognized some local terrain and was thus oriented. The aircraft was then flown over the field parallel with the northeast runway but the smoke was thick enough to prevent the pilot from seeing the field