NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE JETSTREAM ACCIDENT IN MISSOURI

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a Go Team to investigate the crash of a twin-engine turboprop airliner in Kirksville, Missouri. The British Aerospace Jetstream 32, operating as American Connection flight 5966, crashed on approach to the Kirksville Regional Airport at about 7:45 p.m. (CDT), October 19. The plane was on a scheduled flight from St. Louis. The aircraft was owned and operated by Corporate Airlines of Smyrna, Tennessee.

The aircraft was believed to have been carrying two crewmembers and 13 passengers. Local authorities report that they have found two survivors; the number of dead and missing is uncertain at this time.

Senior NTSB Investigator Richard Rodriguez will lead the NTSB team of approximately a dozen investigators. NTSB Member Carol Carmody will accompany the team and serve as principal spokesperson for the on-scene investigation. Keith Holloway is traveling with the team as press officer, and representatives of the Board's Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance will provide on-scene coordination and family assistance.

Press contact information will be announced when the team arrives in Kirksville.

NTSB Press Office: (202) 314-6100