Page:CAB Accident Report, Pennsylvania-Central Airlines Flight 17.pdf/14

- 13 - on March 2, 1942, at the Detroit City Airport, Detroit, Michigan, are as follows:  The accident occurred at approximately 7:28 p.m. to PCA Trip 17 and resulted in major damage to the aircraft, but none of the passengers or crew members was injured.

At the time of the accident PCA held a certificate of public convenience and necessity and an air carrier operating certificate authorizing it to conduct the flight.

Captain Read and First Officer Ricks were physically qualified and held proper certificates of competency and appropriate ratings to operate as air carrier pilots over the route between Washington, D. C., and Detroit, Michigan.

Aircraft NC 21788 was currently certificated as airworthy at the time of the accident, had been properly maintained, and was loaded within its approved loading limits.

Trip 17 was cleared, in accordance with proper procedure, for the flight in question.

The 7:20 weather report for Detroit indicated in part: ceiling estimated as 1200 feet, overcast, lower broken clouds, visibility 1 mile, light snow, light fog, and wind northeast 6 m.p.h.

Captain Read showed questionable judgment in electing to land at Detroit toward the northeast on a 3350-foot landing area rather than toward the east-northeast on the 4135-foot runway.

<li>Captain Read made his final glide at too great a speed and too high an altitude.</li> </ol>