Page:CAB Accident Report, Pan American Flight 161.pdf/4

 When at an altitude of 40 or 50 feet, Morse noted from his seat in compartment 2 that the left landing light clearly illuminated the surface of the water which was rippled. He further stated that the upper surface of the left sea-wing seemed parallel with the water surface. (This portion of the sea-wing is at a 5-degree up-angle from the keel). Morse's sensation was "momentarily of a normal landing", the plane then lurching violently and stopping abruptly. Passenger C. D. Williams, facing forward in compartment 3, stated that the plane seemed to "settle" just before the crash and that he did not recall any prior shock or noise. Passenger E. A. Prado, facing forward in the lounge, observed that the plane was very low for an appreciable period of time and he noticed several "oscillations" which were followed by the sudden shook of the crash. Passenger A. S. Mackey, also facing forward in compartment 3, recalled nothing prior to finding himself in the water. The fourth surviving passenger was a 7-year old girl.

In analyzing the statements of the survivors, it is apparent that the aircraft's keel first contacted the water at a point well forward, near the bow, while the plane was in a slightly nose-down attitude. Goyette stated that the initial sound of contact emanated forward of the pilot's compartment. Morse's statement suggests a 5-degree nose-down or approach attitude. Considerable sound-absorbing material between the crew and passenger compartments might account for the passengers not having noted the ripping, tearing noise as heard by Goyette and George. Although George was seated in compartment 3 and heard such a noise, this is accounted for by his normal anticipation as an airman in listening for the first sound of surface contact.

Seven lights, marking the landing area, were anchored in a straight line on a bearing of 70 degrees. The distance from No. 1, on the approach