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

“ When it became apparent to TWA's dispatcher at La Guardia Field that the visibility at the Dayton Airport had decreased below the minimums authorized, he immediately re-dispatched the flight to Toledo and in so doing provided Captain Hortman with an alternate airport at Detroit, should the visibility at Toledo fall below the minimums authorized. The fuel on board the aircraft at the time it left Pittsburgh was sufficient for the flight to proceed to any of its alternates, and remain well within the requirements of the Civil Air Regulations. ”

“ At the time of departure from Pittsburgh, and at the time of the accident, the gross weight of the airplane did not exceed the permissible gross weight and the aircraft was loaded properly with reference to the location of the center of gravity. At the time of departure from Pittsburgh the aircraft carried sufficient fuel to permit flight at normal cruising power to Dayton and thereafter for about two hours and thirty minutes, thus making available to Captain Hortman a choice between Detroit, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana, the alternate airports. ”

“ When an airplane takes off with a weight in excess of the designated standard weight, the weight of the airplane must be reduced by gasoline consumption, prior to arrival at its next scheduled stop, to the extent necessary to bring it within the standard weight for landing. ”