Page:CAB Accident Report, TWA crash on 17 May 1940.pdf/13

  The computations of the load at the time of take-off indicated that the aircraft was within the gross loading limit of 45,000 pounds.

The flight, which was designated as Boeing G-A, was properly dispatched from Kansas City, Kansas, in accordance with approved company procedure.

A detailed weather analysis of the route to be flown indicated that numerous thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain squalls would be encountered between Kansas City, Kansas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The flight departed at 2:43 p.m. and at 3:20 p.m. reported its position over Lebo, Kansas, contact at 16,000 feet. At 3:37 p.m. the flight arrived over Cassoday, Kansas, at which point Captain Bryan elected to leave the airway in order to avoid thunderstorms in the proposed path of the flight.

As the flight progressed, static interrupted communications between the aircraft and ground stations although the captain was able to read weather reports broadcast by Civil Aeronautics Authority Communication Stations.

At 5:25 p.m. the course of the aircraft was changed with the intention of intercepting the airway at Otto, New Mexico. A few minutes later when it appeared that the flight would have to go on instruments to return to the airway, the captain ordered full heat applied to the carburetors. As the aircraft entered the overcast, heavy snow was encountered and the temperature gauge indicated 