by H. Branch, O. Ryan, G. G. Mason, Jr., and G. P. Baker for the Civil Aeronautics Board

“ If sufficient gasoline has not been consumed between the time of take off and an emergency landing, gasoline can be dumped by the use of tested and approved dump valves in order to reduce the total weight to the approved gross weight for lending. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the airplane had been reduced, since its departure from Kansas City, by approximately 900 pounds. ”

“ At no time during the flight across the airport of beyond the airport did Captain Scott make use of the landing lights on the airplane. Shortly after passing over the west boundary of the airport, the pilot started a left turn; while in the turn the airplane contacted trees 113 feet above the level of the airport and 2,200 feet southwest of the southwest and of runway No. 4. Full power was applied to the engines in an attempt to pull up but other trees were struck and the pilot lost control. ”

“ Although the minimum ceiling prescribed for TWA at St. Louis by the Civil Aeronautics Administration was 400 feet, Captain Scott, instead of going to his alternate when he observed that the ceiling was below that minimum continued his descent and broke out of the overcast at approximately 300 feet. Captain Scott broke out of the overcast too close to runway No. 1 to effect a normal landing from that altitude. After breaking out of the overcast, Captain Scott continued across the airport at an altitude of 200 feet or less. ”