As part of its continuing investigation into the crash of a Raytheon (Beechcraft) King Air 100 aircraft (N41BE) near Eveleth, Minnesota on October 25, 2002, the NTSB will open a public docket and release a series of factual reports on Friday, February 21, 2003, at 11:00 am.

The aircraft, operated by Aviation Charter, Inc., and carrying Senator Paul Wellstone, five other passengers and 2 crewmembers, was on a flight from St. Paul to Eveleth, when it crashed on approach to Eveleth-Virginia Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and there were no survivors.

The information to be released is factual in nature and does not provide any analysis. It will include investigative group reports in the following areas - Operations and Human Performance, Aircraft Performance, Air Traffic Control, Meteorology, Survival Factors, and Powerplants .

Additional material will be added to the docket as it becomes available. Analysis of the accident, along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause, will come at a later date when the final report on the investigation is completed.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov