TWELFTH UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO CRASH OF AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 587

The National Transportation Safety Board today released the following update on its investigation of the November 12, 2001, crash of American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus A300-600, in Belle Harbor, New York, which resulted in the deaths of all 260 persons aboard and 5 persons on the ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation of the crash of flight 587. Most of the investigative efforts are completed. At this time, only minor technical issues are being resolved to ensure an accurate report. The report-writing phase is well underway and a draft report was provided to the Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses Pour la Securite de l'Aviation Civile (BEA), the Safety Board's counterpart agency of the government of France, on July 9, 2004, in accordance with provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

A Board meeting will be scheduled in Washington, probably in the fall, at which the five Board Members will consider the final report, which will contain conclusions, the probable cause, and any safety recommendations pertinent to the findings. That meeting will be webcast, and will be satellite uplinked to anyone wishing to purchase a downlinked video feed.

The NTSB will announce the date of the final Board meeting when it is scheduled.

NTSB Media Contact: Ted Lopatkiewicz, (202) 314-6100, lopatt@ntsb.gov