DC-8 N817NA Flight #100607

Sensor Payload :

 CAPS, PIP, DAWN, LARGE, LASE, MMS APR-2.

PIP probe had a laser failure early in the mission.  Dawn had success with operating the entire mission after having installed insulation between the instrument optics unit and the cargo bay inner wall.  All sensors operated. 

Comments :

Dropped 24 sondes. Flight consisted of a “lawn mower” pattern over the Gulf of Mexico at cruise altitudes ranging from 33,000 ft to 39,000 ft; in an area bordered by Florida, a line between Louisiana & Merida Mexico, U.S. Gulf Coast region, and Cuba.  A spiral descent/assent was performed between 37,000 ft and 27,000 at MINOW intersection.  All dropsondes had data transmitted to ground.  DC-8 onboard data distribution network had intermittent system failures that are being investigated.