have caused the plane's airspeed to drop, and according to the CAB findings, it caused the fuel in the No. 4 main tank to slosh away from the fuel outlet, lowering the engine's fuel pressure. The captain's application of full throttle to both right-hand engines caused to airplane to turn further to the left due to the relative lack of thrust from the single functioning left-hand engine. This exacerbated his loss of directional control. The first officer disobeyed the captain's order to raise the wing flaps, and did not tell the captain. The first officer misinterpreted the No. 4 engine's fuel pressure drop as a sign of incipient engine failure and feathered the prop. However, the CAB partially exonerated Lewis for this act, concluding that the craft was so close to the ground at that point that his mistake probably had little influence on the final outcome. Excessive elevator input by the captain caused the aircraft to stall. The CAB concluded that the accident could have been avoided if the crew had held the plane straight and level when the misalignment was first noticed, then raised the flaps, climbed to a safe altitude, circled the airport, and attempted another landing. The CAB concluded that there were no factors present that would compel the crew to land immediately despite the sloppy approach, such as rapidly deteriorating weather or a shortage of fuel. See also Aviation safety American Airlines accidents and incidents List of accidents and incidents involving commercial aircraft References External links Report from the Civil Aeronautics Board - PDF Partial Aircraft Accident Report for Flight 157 from the Department of Transport's Special Collections Brief article on the crash from Time magazine archives. Life magazine pictorial of Joe Smith, 29-year-old veteran who died in the crash Airliner accidents and incidents caused by pilot error Airliner accidents and incidents in Texas Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 1949 157 Disasters in Texas Accidents and incidents involving the Douglas DC-6 History of Dallas 1949 in Texas November 1949 events in the United States Dallas Love Field