- 19 -
Visibility[1] at this time and at the time of the accident, 2:25 a.m., was probably better than two miles. There was no fog or haze. As noted before, the 2:35 weather sequence report, even though it indicated heavy rain, reported that the visibility was two miles. In the light of these facts it is not felt that restricted visibility contributed to the accident.
The Braniff radio operator knew, before Captain Powers landed at Wichita, that Captain Powers had been advised by the captain of Braniff Flight 1 to fly at "minimum altitude" between Wichita and Kansas City. In view of this he should have made an effort to ascertain as quickly as possible whether Captain Powers desired to change his flight plan. As noted before, Captain Powers testified that he personally requested one of the two Braniff ground personnel to obtain approval of a change in flight plan. The Braniff radio operator and passenger agent each testified that this request was not made of him. In view of this conflict of recollection we do not reach a conclusion with respect to the oral request. However, the radio operator should have paid particular attention to the copy of the clearance form returned to him by Captain Powers since it was the usual procedure for a captain to request a change in flight plan on this form. If he had noticed
- ↑ Visibility at night is determined by observing lights at known distances. The visibility is defined as the greatest distance toward the horizon that moderate lights are visible.
