Page:CAB Accident Report, Pennsylvania-Central Airlines Flight 17.pdf/9

- 8 - of about 150 feet, but stated that the airspeed at this time was 110 m.p.h. Other evidence also indicated that the airplane was flying at a high rate of speed at this time.

The landing path selected by Captain Read was approximately 3350 feet long. According to Captain Read, he thought at the time that the airplane contacted the ground at an airspeed of approximately 75 m.p.h. after passing over about one-third of this landing path. Subsequent examination of the wheel tracks left in the snow revealed however, that the aircraft passed over 1935 feet of the landing path before either wheel touched the ground. From the tracks in the snow it appeared that the left wheel first contacted the ground rather sharply for a distance of 57 feet. This wheel then left the ground for 45 feet. Both wheels then made contact almost simultaneously, the left one staying on the ground for a distance of 48 feet and the right one for a distance of 60 feet. The wheels continued to leave the ground intermittently for a considerable distance before both of them made continuous contact. The brakes were applied but had little effect because the surface of the airport was wet and covered with snow.

It became apparent to Captain Read that if the airplane continued on its path, it would not stop before striking the fence along the northeast boundary of the airport. He tried to turn to the left into the northwest corner of the airport, and a partial left turn was effected so that the airplane was proceeding in a northerly direction However, because of the slippery condition of the field and the speed