Page:CAB Accident Report, TWA Flight 891.pdf/34

 -34- Communications and navigation

No abnormality was found which might suggest a malfunctioning of the respective deVices.

Specifically, it was established that the weather radar, AVQ-lﬂ. was operating: this was shown by the fact that the inverter semng the radar as well as the antenna carried on the plane's nose were in rotation at the time of the impact. However,

the retractable vieWing screen, mounted behind the control panel in the pilot‘s cabin, was so badly crushed that it was not posSible to determine with certainty whether it had been

used by the crew. Fire-fighting equipment

No abnormality. Specifically, it was found that the fire- fighting equipment was not used, either for the engines or for the heaters.

Flight controls

Following a long series of checking and searching operations, it was concluded that the various controls of the plane (ailerons, flaps, rudders, etc.) Were in normal operating condition at the time of the crash. In particular, it was deduced that the flap controls were in the "retracted" position.

Fuel gstem

This system was examined Wlth extreme care in View of the eVidence that tanks Nos. 6 and 7 had diSintegrated in flight.

With the exception of tank No. 6 and the right Side of tank No. "i’ (see 1331'. 11.2.3.1), the tanks showed no Signs of damage from fire. All tank caps P.N. 75w38-l3 were recovered. In the

case of one of them, of which only the upper plate had been

left (see par. 11.1, pmnt 1), it was established, by a

process of elimination, that it must have belonged either to

tank No. 6 or tank No. 7.

The level-indicating rods (P.N. hBITM-l} for tanks No. 1 and 6 were not found because they had been removed, very likely by unauthorised ViSitors, at the crash Site.

This was shown by the direct exammation of their respective seats located on the top surface of the Wing.

All the metallic mesh filters (P.N. h80909-1) with which the fuel intake ports (on the top surface of the Wings) were equipped were found, with the exception of the one belonging to tank No. 5. SpeCifically, the filter of tank No. 7 was found at the spot where the wreckage was lying; that of tank