Page:CAB Accident Report, General Airways DC-3 crash on 1 February 1959.pdf/5

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departure, Pueblo; first intended landing, Lackland Air Force Base; alternate airport, San Antonio International Airport; cruising altitude, 9,000 feet by Victor Airway 81 to Lubbock, Texas; Victor 76 to San Angelo; Victor 68 to San Antonio; true airspeed at cruising altitude, 150 knots; estimated time en route, four hours plus 30 minutes with fuel for fiVe hours plus 30 minutes; proposed time of departure, 1735; radio equipment VHF transmitter and VHF receiver.

ARTC then issued the following clearance: "ATC CLEARS NECTOR 17314 TO THE LACKLAND AIRPORT MAINTAIN NINE THOUSAND VIA VICTOR 81 LUBBOCK FLIGHT PLAN ROUTE." This was transmitted to N 17314 from the Pueblo Tower and was acknowl- edged. N 17314 was cleared for takeoff and was off at 1800. Eight minutes later it reported to Pueblo as at 9,000 feet. At 1812 it called Pueblo estimat— ing Tobe Omni at 1813. This was the last radio contact between N 17314 and the Pueblo facility.

At 1838 the FAA ATC station at Trinidad, Colorado, receivsd a pesition report from N 17314 as over the Tobe Omni at 1836 estimating Dalhart at 1915. The flight reported over Dalhart at 1916 at 9,000 feet estimating Amarillo at 1945. At this time the pilot reported encountering light icing and requested a change in altitude to 7,000 feet. ARTC did not approve this request.

The flight reported over Amarillo at 1945 at 9,000 feet, estimating Imbbock at 2027 and again requested a change in altitude to 7,000 feet. This request was approved by ARTC and the flight reported passing through 8,000 feet at 1956.

At 2022 the flight called Lubbock Radio and reported as ten minutes north of the Lubbock VOR encountering light icing at 7,000 feet. weather and terminal forecasts for Big Spring, San Angelo, Kelly Field, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas, were requested. The weather was requested for Wichita Falls, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This infonnation was transmitted to the flight by Lubbock Radio and indicated above minimum conditions at seVeral locations with best conditions at Wichita Falls and Oklahoma City, both within range.

At 2031, N 17314 reported over the Lubbock VCR and requested a change to the minimum en route altitude (5,100 fast). The El Paso ARTC Center, through Imbbock Radio, advised the flight of icing conditions at lower altitudes until after San Angelo. However, N 17314 again requested 5,100 feet, and ARTC cleared it to that altitude. N 17314 acknowledged and this was the last radio contact between the aircraft and Lubbock Radio.

The flight reported OVer Big Spring at 2115 at 5,100 feet estimating San Angelo at 2158. Then, and again at 2138, the flight was asked if a higher alti— tude was desired. It advised being in severe icing and using climb power to maintain altitude. In answer to a request, the San Angelo and Junction weather was transmitted to the flight. Both were above minimums with light freezing drizzle. ARTC records indicate that the flight reported over San Angelo at 2158 at an altitude of 5,000 feet, estimating Junction at 2229, experiencing severe icing. The pilot reported, in substance, that he did not believe he could make San Antonio owing to shortage of fuel.

At 2215 the San Antonio ARTC Center requested Trans—Texas Airways to have

its agent at KerrVille, Texas, proceed to that airport and put runway lights and radio beacon in operation in the event N'l7314 landed there. KerrviI1e_