Fred A. Toombs

“ 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 continued on through the airport boundary fence, and crashed against the embankment of Highway No. 150, which adjoins the airport. The right landing gear failed from impact with the embankment and the plane stopped with its nose protruding over the highway. ”

“ 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. ”