Page:CAB Aircraft Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 2815.pdf/1

 File No. 1-0011

ADOPTED: October 5, 1959

An American Airlines cargo flight, a Convair 2&0, crashed in a railroad yard during an instrument approach to the Chicago Midway Airport on March 15, 1959, about 0053 c. s. t. Neither pilot was hurt although aircraft and cargo were destroyed.

At the time of the accident the company's prescribed cargo minimum ceiling of 300 feet existed; visibility was one mile in rain which was one-fourth mile more than cargo minimum. The flight missed one approach to runway 31, was again vectored into proper position, and started another. Descent continued below 300 feet until the aircraft struck the top of a 96-foot steel tower, crashed and burned.

Investigation disclosed no functional difficulty with the aircraft nor with any of its components nor with any ground aid. Descent below the minimum approach altitude, before the runway was definitely in sight, stands as the basic reason for the accident. The carrier has removed the captain from duty; the first officer was flight—checked and then returned to duty.

American Airlines cargo Flight No. 2815 of March 14, 1959, originated at La Guardia Airport, N. Y., for Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Captain Lawrence W. Larsen and First Officer Kenneth Warren Kinne were the only occupants. The Aircraft's gross weight was within limits as was the location of its center of gravity.

Departure from La Guardia was at 2145, approximately on schedule, with the flight cleared only to Detroit because of adverse weather conditions at Chicago. The flight proceeded uneventful and, not receiving en route company release to Chicago, landed at Detroit.

At Detroit fuel was added and Captain Larsen talked by telephone with the company's dispatcher at Chicago relating to expected Midway weather at arrival time. The dispatcher, after consulting with the company meteorologist, advised the captain that the weather was not expected to go below minimums, although thunderstorm activity was likely at Midway. In reference to this weather information the captain testified, "At that point, I could see no reason to say 'No', so I went. I didn't want to, but I couldn't find a good. reason not to." Accordingly,

USCOMM-DC-25138