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a light rain was fellin, but that he did not determine whether there was water on the surface of the runway as the airplane landed. Captain Graham further testified that there was no indication in the cabin of the brakes having been applied. In explaining this statement, he stated that when the brakes are applied suddenly and with full pressure, the braking effect can be felt in the cabin.
Mr. Arlin P. Martin, Chief of maintenance Personnel, PCA, was also a passenger on beard Trip 142, occupying seat number two, which is the front seat on the left side of the aisle. Mr. Martin testified that from his observation the flight was normal in every respect, including a very smooth landing which appeared to be on the two landing wheels. He also stated, however, that as the airplane crossed the approach and of the runway, it appeared to be a little too high. He testified that by the time the airplane had slowed down to a point where he expected the pilot to apply brakes, he noticed the raving up of the right engine. The airplane started to turn to the left and then slid sideways over the embankment and came to a stop.
Mr. Theodore E. Snyder, PCA's Morgantown Station Manager, from a position in front of the Administration Building, observed the final approach of Trip 142, the lending, the roll along the runway, the attempt to ground loop the airplane and its disappearance over the 25-foot embankment. Mr. Snyder testified that the landing appeared to be normal and that it did not appear that the airplane had excessive speed at the time it made contact with the runway. Snyder further testified that a light rain was falling at the time Trip 142 landed at the airport, that it had rained during the night, and that at the time the landing was made the runway was quite wet. Snyder estimated the visibility to be about two miles at the time of the accident.
