Page:CAB Accident Report, Northwest Airlines Flight 2.pdf/13

Rh  The plane was loaded within allowable limits, and the load was properly distributed with reference to the c.g. location.

During landing there was a cross-wind which may have reached a maximum velocity in excess of the indicated 20 to 25 m.p.h.

The weather encountered during the approach and landing, was substantially as reported by radio to Captain DeLong and was within the allowable ceiling and visibility minimums.

Since this accident, limitations, approved by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, have been issued by Northwest for cross-wind landings, imposing restrictions not previously in effect.

A prolonged gust of wind, of considerable force, exerted sufficient pressure on the right side of the plane to change its track about 15° to the left, causing the plane to skid off the runway onto the slippery mud where the brakes were ineffective. The captain, in an effort to effect recovery, slightly changed the heading of the aircraft but it continued to skid sideways until it struck the windrow. The plane came to rest on its crumpled landing gear and left engine nacelle on the north-south runway, heading north. 

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