"A Thorough, Transparent Investigation... We Expect Nothing Less"

Editor's Note: The voices continue to rise in protest of the Brazilian government's holding of pilots Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, as that country's investigation into the September 29 midair collision that brought down a Gol Airlines 737 appears to be mired in backcountry politics, and bureaucratic infighting.

The following is the unedited text of a letter sent from Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association, to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

This letter requests your immediate action to secure the return to the United States of two American pilots being detained in your country in conjunction with the tragic accident between a business aircraft and a Gol Airlines aircraft on September 29th.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) supports a thorough, fair, accurate and transparent investigation into the accident. We expect nothing less.

It is our understanding that the pilots and their attorneys have fully cooperated with investigators from your government. Yet, despite their cooperation, the pilots are being held in contravention of internationally recognized practices and with no date certain for their release. This is an unacceptable situation that must not continue.

Based on the public reports of the accident, it is clear there was no intentional wrongdoing in this case. Preventing the pilots from returning to the United States is neither appropriate nor beneficial to the investigation.

NBAA urges your prompt intervention in this matter so that the pilots can be returned home in time for the holidays.

Thank you for your time and assistance with this critically important issue.

FMI: www.nbaa.org