NTSB Gives Pilots Extra Scrutiny

• Tuesday, Oct. 22: During takeoff on a flight to Rochester with Wellstone on board, Conry mistakenly engaged the autopilot, causing the plane to pitch downward. The copilot recovered. After the landing, Wellstone says jokingly to Conry, "Get some sleep."
• On the same flight, Conry repeatedly misidentified the type of airplane he was flying in conversations with air traffic controllers.
• Wednesday, Oct. 23: Conry passed a rigorous check flight with Aviation Charter's chief pilot.
• Thursday, Oct. 24: Conry was called to fly an unscheduled "pop-up" flight, which departed for Bismarck, N.D., about 3 a.m. and returned to the Twin Cities at 9:06 a.m.
• Later Thursday, Conry worked a six-hour shift as a dialysis nurse at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. During the shift, which ended about 9 p.m., he was contacted by the charter company to fly the Wellstone party to Eveleth the next day.
• Friday, Oct. 25: Concerned about the weather, Conry at first scrubbed the flight, then reconsidered. The plane left St. Paul at 9:37 a.m. and crashed at 10:22 a.m.

What's Next

The safety board will release reports on the plane's airworthiness and maintenance records, likely to be followed by a hearing where the board will be presented the staff's final analysis and conclusions.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov