Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan American Flight 161.pdf/10



Upon the basis of all available evidence, the Board finds that:


 * 1) The carrier, aircraft and pilots were properly certificated.
 * 2) Captain Cramer, having very limited flight time in the aircraft, was at the controls with Captain Goyette acting in a supervisory capacity.
 * 3) Conditions of weather and water surface within the vicinity of Port of Spain were satisfactory for a safe approach and landing.
 * 4) The plane first contacted the water at more than normal landing speed and in a nose-low attitude.
 * 5) The crash occurred at a point 1¼ miles short of the intended landing area.
 * 6) Forces created by the speed of the plane on its contact with the water in the excessive nose-down attitude caused failure of the hull bottom and its structure, resulting in rapid submersion of the aircraft.
 * 7) Landing of the aircraft in the attitude indicated, under the then existing conditions of water surface and weather, was due to Cramer's having misjudged his true altitude and his failure to correct his attitude for a normal landing.
 * 8) At the time of the accident Captain Cramer was not wearing glasses as required by his pilot certificate.
 * 9) Captain Goyette, in command of the aircraft and with full knowledge of Cramer's limited experience in the Martin M-130, failed to exercise sufficient supervision of the landing.

On the basis of the above findings, the Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was (1) First Officer Cramer's failure to realize his proximity to the water and to correct his attitude for a normal landing and, (2) the lack of adequate supervision by the Captain during the landing,