Page:CAB Accident Report, General Airways DC-3 crash on 1 February 1959.pdf/6

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Airport is five miles southeast of Kerrville, at an elevation of 1,590 feet

m. s. 1. There are two runways, one 2—20, A,050 feet in length and the other, 12—30, A,A00 feet. Runway 30 is lighted and approved for instrument approach procedures using the radio beacon, a MMWLclass facility owned and operated by Trans—Texas Airways. This facility is not charted and the approved approach procedures, as published by the Jeppesen Company, are for the exclusive use of Trans—Texas. The radio beacon, identification EVE, frequency 310 kc., is 2.7 statute miles on a magnetic bearing of 120 degrees from the approach end of runway 30. ‘

At 2219, N 1731h advised the San Angelo ATC Station of ice one and one— half inches thick on the aircraft's landing lights, and at 2220 requested A,000 feet, being unable to maintain 5,000 feet. At this time N l?3lA was advised that the freesing level was approximately 5,000 feet over Junction and lowering toward San Antonio, and was also advised concerning the Junction airport facili- ties.

At 2227 the flight advised Junction that it was at A,000 feet, unable to maintain 5,000 feet. At 2229 it advised being at A,000 feet and descending. At 2231 the pilot reported having regained 4,000 feet and having passed Junction Radio at 2230. At this time Junction Badio relayed the Kerrville Airport infor- mation to N 173lh. '

At 2243 the pilot advised Junction that he was at 3,600 feet. At 22A6 Junction relayed the Kerrville weather to the flight as ceiling 700 feet, visi— bility one mile. At 22A9, Junction heard t pilot report that the aircraft was stalling and that he had "less than 1 ." At 2250 Junction transmitted the Kerrville Airport data and the Kerrville "H" facility DF approach procedure to N 1731h.

Communication was established on 120.5 mc. between the San Antonio ARTC Center and N 1731A at 2257. At 2302, N 1731A advised the San AntOnio Center it was at 3,600 feet, unable to pick up the Kerrv1lle beacon, and was "awfully low on gas."

Meanwhile, the Trans—Texas agent at Kerrville, having been alerted, pro- ceeded to the Kerrville Airport. He turned on the lights on runway 30, deter— mined that the radio beacon was in operation, and took a weather observation at 22A5. The latter, given by direct line to the San Antonio Center, was: Measured ceiling 700 feet, overcast, visibility one mile, light drizzle, fog, temperature 32 degrees, dewpoint 31. The Trans—Texas ground staff at Kerrville could not establish direct contact with N 1731A, since Trans-Texas transmits on 128.9 mo. and this frequency was not available on N 1731A.

The San Antonio Center had alerted the Kerrville Fire and Police Depart— ments, and fire apparatus and several ambulances were standing by at the Kerr- ville Airport for emergency.

In an effort to maintain continuous contact with N 1731A, the San Antonio Center utilized a USAF aircraft, AIREWE/ 5h759, as a relay station. It was in flight near Austin, Texas. At 2313, AIREV 5L759 reported N 1731A as over Kerr— 1 ville, attempting an approach, and that the pilot had reported intermittent ]

1 u

3/ Airspeed in knots. 5/ Air Evacuation.