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improvement of an adequate national system of airports, discussed at length the problem of hazards around airports and, in particular, obstructions which constitute definite hazards in the line of approach to runways. The Administrator at the present time has no power to require the marking of obstructions, except indirectly through his exercise of the power to restrict air carrier operations into an airport. The City of St. Louis owns and operates the Municipal Airport but the land on which these trees stand is privately owned.
While the failure to have the tree obstruction lighted cannot be reasonably held in any way responsible for this accident and while it has not caused any accident to airplanes approaching No. 4 runway, it appears desirable to the Board that the group of trees of which this one was a part should in the interest of the greatest degree of safety be removed, trimmed or lighted in the future.
III.
CONCLUSION
Findings
We find, upon all of the evidence available to Board at this time, that the facts relating to the accident involving NC 17315, which occurred near Robertson, Missouri, on January 23, 1941, are as follows:
- The accident which occurred at approximately 4:14 A.M., January 23, 1941, to TWA's Trip 6 of that date, resulted in major damage to aircraft NC 17315, fatal injuries to one passenger and one member of the crew, serious injuries to four passengers and one member of the crew, and minor injuries to six passengers and one member of the crew.
