by L.W. Pogue, E. Warner, H. Branch, and O. Ryan for the Civil Aeronautics Board

“ In this instance, Air Traffic Control cleared the TWA DC3 to climb through the overcast, within the limits of the airway along which they knew the Army C-53 was flying, and before the Army flight had reported in over the Kansas City Range Station. Issuance of this clearance authorized the TWA aircraft to pass through the flight altitude and the probable path of of the Army aircraft. Until the Army plane had reported as over its fix at Kansas City, Air Traffic Control had no positive assurance that the TWA flight path would not intersect the Army flight path. ”

“ After landing, Captain Welch called TWA on the ship's radio and reported that he had made a crash landing approximately 5 miles north of North Kansas City, near Linden. (See map opposite page.)
Witnesses
There were no witnesses to the collision as it occurred in the overcast. The Army C-53 was observed by the TWA junior radio operator after it came through the base of the overcast, circled very low and landed while still turning. There were two known witnesses to the maneuvers of the DC3 after it came through the overcast and made a crash lending. One was a man experienced in aviation. ”

“ The wind from Columbia to Kansas City at 2000 feet was 40–45 m.p.h. SSE (174°) ; at 4000 feet it was 40–45 m.p.h. S to SSW (203°) . The difference in wind direction from Columbia to Kansas City at 2000 feet and at 4000 feet would account for the C-53 flight being approximately 7 minutes late on arrival at Kansas City. ”