Page:CAB Accident Report, Northeast Airlines Flight 801.pdf/14

- 14 - settings as appears to have been the case. It must, therefore, be concluded that an air speed of about 140 miles per hour was not maintained but was allowed to decrease to such extent that the aircraft settles rapidly to the surface.

As previously stated, the flight departed from Boston at 0745 and there was attached to the clearance the 0725 weather report for LaGaurdia, which was ceiling estimated 3,060 broken, overcast 6,000, visibility 2, light rain and smoke. The Weather at LaGuardia continued to deteriorate over the next two hours. The pilot did not request nor was he transmitted directly additional LaGuardia terminal weather while he was en route. The terminal weather at LaGuardia for 0825 was available to the flight by means of the 0845 broadcast. That report was ceiling estimated 3,000 overcast; visibility 1½, moderate rain and smoke, After the flight had been cleared for approach to Runway 22 by LaGuardia Approach Control, the pilot received the LaGuardia weather, which was ceiling 1,700 and visibility 1½ miles. The aircraft struck the water in Flushing Bay at 0903. The weather reports show that by 0910 the visibility at LaGuardia had drooped to 1/2 mile and the ceiling was reported to be 600 feet.

It was self evident to the pilot that the weather was deteriorating. However, there was he reason for him to believe that the ceiling was close to minimum until he was on final straight-in approach. He could, of course, have asked for and received the use of the ILS runway. As this report explains, there was no reason for any ground personnel to believe this necessary.