- 4 -
broken propeller blade penetrated the left main fuel tank, and the fuselage broke open on both sides just aft of the forward bulkhead in the forward lounge.
Except for the empennage surfaces, outer wing panels, and the noe gear, the entire structure was destroyed by fire. All powerplants had been subjected to such intense fire that most of the magnesium casings completely burned out. Bach engine, with the exception of the No. 3, was found on the ground in its correct position with relation to the wings and fuselage. All propellers had broken blades and all blades were bent forward and counter to rotation. Because of the severe damage to these engines and the fact that the crew said they were functioning in a normal manner when the accident occurred, a tear-down examination was not made.
The crew said the approach was made in a normal manner and that the flaps were extended late in the final approach and were fully down at touchdown. They also said that during the final portion of the approach an airspeed of 105 knots was carried. Witnesses said the flaps were completely down at or just after touchdown. According to the company's flight manual for this type aircraft, the approach speed when crossing the airport boundary (fence speed) is 95 knots.
The crew said further that touchdown was made within the first third of the runway distance and that the brakes were applied immediately. Although the brake system appeared to be functioning in a normal manner, with break pressure normal and hard pedals, the aircraft failed to respond to all efforts to slow it down. the captain said that he ordered the first officer to raise the flaps early landing roll to put weight on the wheels and increase traction; the first officer did not hear the command. When It became evident that the airplane could not be stopped within the limits of the runway and that it also could not be flown out safely, the captain decided to make a left ground Loop and called for full power on No. 4 engine. The flight engineer misunderstood this command and applied power to all four engines. When the aircraft did not respond as the captain wished, he glanced quickly at the control pedestal with brake presto and, recognizing that all throttles were forward, quickly closed throttles one, two, and three. The aircraft then began the loft turn but too late to remain within the airport boundaries.
eyewitnesses to the accident stated that the airplane touched down within or about the first third of the runway. An air traffic controller in the tower said that the approach appeared to be normal. Several persons thought the airplane landed faster than this type airplane usually landed. All were in agreement that there was no apparent deceleration of the aircraft in the early stages of the landing roll. One witness said the aircraft was rolling on all three landing gears when 2,000 feet down the runway.
Three other aircraft were landed at the Kanawha County Airport near the time of this accident and when the weather conditions were similar. One a scheduled air carrier flight reported normal braking while the second, also an air carrier, reported air poor braking. The third, a light airplane, experienced difficulty in breaking
