Eleven Safety Improvements Recommended

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents the 11,000 pilots who fly for American Airlines, submitted this week its official recommendations to the NTSB following a nearly three-year long investigation into the crash of American Airlines Flight 587. As expected, the organization faulted the aircraft manufacturer. The accident occurred November 12, 2001, at Belle Harbor, New York, shortly after take-off of when the aircraft tail separated from the fuselage.

APA investigators, led by First Officer John David, said four areas were critical in causing the accident, including the fact that aircraft manufacturer Airbus failed to notify pilots about the unique characteristics of the rudder control system. "This airplane has a rudder system that is 7.32 times more sensitive than the Boeing 767, a comparably sized aircraft," FO David said. "We looked at how this sensitivity may have affected the performance of the aircraft."

After take-off, Flight 587 encountered wake turbulence from a preceding Boeing 747. The report indicates that wake turbulence triggered a series of events that led directly to the tailfin separation. The report also highlights deficiencies in the aircraft-pilot interface. In addition, APA cited different FAA oversight responsibilities that the report found need improvement. In particular, the report is critical of how the FAA certifies aircraft and how aircraft manufacturers test their flight systems. The report concludes by issuing 11 safety recommendations to the NTSB.

"We are satisfied that our investigators have been diligent in their review of the events that led to this tragic accident," said FO David. "This was a complex accident in which all factors were closely considered."

FMI: www.alliedpilots.org