NTSB TO MEET ON FINAL REPORT OF AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 587 CRASH INVESTIGATION OCTOBER 26

The National Transportation Safety Board will meet in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, October 26, 2004, to consider a final report on its investigation into the crash of American Airlines flight 587. The meeting will begin at 9:30 and is expected to last most of the day.

The Board will be meeting in open session with its investigators as it deliberates over the draft report under provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act. The public is invited to observe the proceedings; there is no public participation in the meeting. At the end of the meeting, the Board is expected to adopt the report, as edited during the meeting, which will include conclusions, a probable cause and safety recommendations. The meeting will be held at the NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. The meeting will be web cast, which can be accessed on the home page of the Board's website at www.ntsb.gov.

On November 12, 2001, American Airlines flight 587, an Airbus A-300-600, crashed minutes after takeoff from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 people on the aircraft and five more on the ground. The aircraft was on a scheduled flight to the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the web cast, a videotape of the proceedings may be purchased for $20 from the Board's contractor, General Microfilm, at (301) 929-8888. To minimize disruption for all attendees, members of the audience may not take still or video photography during the proceedings.

A press release and summary of the Board's conclusions, statement of probable cause and safety recommendations will be posted on the Board's website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The full report will appear on the website several weeks after the meeting.

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