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below that of the Atlanta airport. The crux of the question presented in this investigation is the reason for the conduct of the operation at an altitude so far below normal.
The record contains no evidence of any mechanical or structural failure of any part of the aircraft which would account for operations being conducted at an altitude so far below normal. Subsequent examination of all parts of the aircraft gave no indication of any malfunctioning of the engines, controls, or instruments which would have led to abnormal operations. Moreover, the known facts concerning the operation of the aircraft in the vicinity of Atlanta lead inevitably to the conclusion that the crash cannot be attributed to any mechanical or structural failure, with the possible exception of the altimeters. From the testimony of witnesses on the ground who saw or heard the airplane during its flight out the southeast leg of the Atlanta range, it appears that operations were being conducted at all times at an altitude substantially below normal. Yet, there as no evidence that the aircraft was in distress or that any emergency measures were being taken at any time. The standard approach procedure was followed and apparently no attempt was made to shorten it. Clearly, Captain Perry was not attempting an emergency landing at the time of the crash for he had made no use of his radio to indicate that he was in trouble nor did he drop landing flares to serve as guides during such a landing. In addition, the aircraft apparently traveled the last 1500 feet preceding the crash in practically level flight and the condition of the engines and propellers as found in the wreckage revealed that at the time of the crash a normal amount of power for that stage of a let-down-through procedure was being applied to the engines.
