Page:CAB Aircraft Accident Report, American Airlines Flight 2815.pdf/5

 and would normally easily detect these discrepancies, this can only mean that he was not referring to his instruments during the final portion of the approach.

In regard to a possible erroneous altitude indication, there was no evidence found to indicate either a failure or a malfunction of the altimeters. With respect to the weather conditions at the time and place of the accident, it is believed that they could have varied to some extent from those reported at the airport. It must be remembered, however, that an air carrier aircraft made an uneventful instrument approach and a safe landing to the same runway within a few minutes of the accident. This pilot's landing minimums were higher and only moderate weather conditions were encountered.

Conclusion

The Board concludes that this accident was brought about by the captain's disregard of the minimum altitude during instrument flight. It is evident that he was attempting visually to locate the runway while flying at a low altitude under conditions of restricted visibility.

Probable Cause

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot's descent below his allowable minimum altitude and his inattention to flight instruments while attempting to locate the runway visually.

BY THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD: