Fred A. Toombs

“ A scheduled stop was made at Des Moines, Iowa, and the flight departed that point at 6:44 p.m., flying on instruments at 3,000 feet. At about 7:42 p.m., when over Buffalo, Iowa, the first officer contacted the company operator at Moline, who gave him the wind at Moline Airport as east, approximately 3 m.p.h., and favoring Runway No. 9. This operator also informed the captain that the runways were slick and that brakes were not very effective. At 7:49 p.m., while circling the field, the flight again asked for the wind and was advised that it favored landing east, and that traffic was clear. ”

“ Petersen, flying solo from the rear seat and equipped with a parachute, took off from Minden Airport at about 4:00 p.m. and proceeded to his assigned practice area to practice lazy eights, chandelles, stalls and 720° power turns. Another student, flying in an adjacent area at approximately the same altitude (3000 feet) , observed him practicing maneuvers. This student stated that Petersen's plane appeared to fall out of a lazy "8" into a spin, which became flat after about six turns. ”

“ He had flown approximately 3023 hours including 149 in the type of plane involved. He had received approximately 68 hours training on pickup technique and route familiarization and had made 18 solo flights for a total of 81 hours which included eight round trips on the route involved. Linger, age 30, held a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine land 0–80 h.p. and flight instructor ratings and an aircraft and engine mechanic certificate. As flight mechanic he operated the mail pickup device. The aircraft, a Stinson SR-10C, NC 22583, was powered by a Lycoming 245 h.p. engine. ”

“ Runway No. 9 is seldom used due to its shortness and the fact that local winds seldom require its use. The captain was informed that braking action was poor but was not advised that Runway No. 9 was covered with sheet ice coated with three inches of dry snow which had not adhered to the ice. The company station manager at Moline stated that the field had not been cleared since December 18, (three days prior to the accident) as conditions had remained approximately the same, with some variations due to temperature change. ”

“ The aircraft was loaded within prescribed limitations and was dispatched in a routine manner. Weather observations by the U. S. Weather Bureau and their communication to the crew were properly handled. Ceiling and visibility at the time of the flight's arrival at Indianapolis were above the limits specified for approach and landing. ”

“ The flight was due over Milesville, S. D. at 7:45 a.m. and when no position report had been received at 7:48 a.m., a search was started. The wreckage was located three hours later on a snow-covered rolling prairie suitable for an emergency landing. ”

“ He held a student pilot certificate and had accumulated approximately 47 hours of flying time. He had flown 11 solo and 12 dual hours in the type aircraft involved. The aircraft, a Fairchild N-62B, NC 41833, owned by the Pathfinder Flying Service, Ltd., was demolished. ”