Page:CAB Accident Report, Northwest Airlines Flight 2.pdf/6

Rh was moving in a northerly direction. Light rain was encountered by the flight as it crossed the Missouri River at a point about 3 miles southwest of the airport. While over the Missouri River the flight was advised that the wind was varying from 20 to 40 degrees, velocity 20 to 30 m.p.h. and gusty. Had the captain considered weather conditions at Bismarck unsafe for landing, his remaining fuel supply of approximately 250 gallons was ample to reach his alternate, only 190 miles away. At this time the airport was clearly visible to the captain and remained so throughout his final approach and landing. The landing gear has lowered and locked. The first officer then asked the Northwest radio operator if the northeast-southwest runway could be used. He was advised that only the northwest-southeast runway was available, and that the wind was now varying between 10 and 60 degrees, velocity 20 to 25 m.p.h. The radio operator failed to log the part of the conversation concerning use of the northeast-southwest runway.

At about 6:27 p.m, the captain made a normal turn south of the airport, and from an altitude of about 2000 feet the approach was straight in toward the northwest on the northwest-southeast runway. Flaps were not used. The approach was normal and the air seemed relatively smooth until the aircraft had passed over the fence which enclosed the airport. At this time the air became noticeably gusty. The captain stated that his approach speed-was about 100 m.p.h.; that his drift to the left had been corrected and that no drift was noticeable at the moment of contact with the ground. The left wheel contacted the center of the runway about 400 feet from the approach end, and the right wheel touched about 280 feet beyond. The right wing then lifted slightly beyond level, but this was corrected almost immediately. A long sustained gust of wind than struck from the right, lifted