NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
June 2, 1999

NTSB LAUNCHES GO-TEAM TO INVESTIGATE MD-80 CRASH IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a full aviation Go-Team to investigate last night’s crash of an American Airlines MD-80, flight 1420 from Dallas, while landing at Little Rock, Arkansas.

The team - composed of investigators with expertise in such disciplines as structures, power plants, aircraft systems, weather and survival factors; and family affairs specialists - was dispatched early this morning on two government aircraft.

A command post is being set up at the Hilton Inn North, 2 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114. Phone numbers for the command post will be announced when they become available.

NTSB Member George Black will accompany the team and serve as principal spokesman for the on-scene investigation. Greg Feith will lead the investigation as Investigator-in-Charge (IIC). Mr. Feith has previously been IIC for crashes of a USAir DC-9 in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1994; a commuter airliner in Roselawn, Indiana in 1994; a ValuJet DC-9 in the Florida Everglades in 1996; and a Korean Air Boeing 747 in Guam in 1997.

Press officers accompanying the team are Matthew Furman, Paul Schlamm and Jamie Finch. Member Black will address the news media later today in Little Rock. Time and location will be announced when available.

NTSB Press Office: (202) 314-6100