Eleven Safety Improvements Recommended
The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents the 11,000
pilots who fly for American Airlines, submitted this week its
official recommendations to the NTSB following a nearly three-year
long investigation into the crash of American Airlines Flight 587.
As expected, the organization faulted the aircraft manufacturer.
The accident occurred November 12, 2001, at Belle Harbor, New York,
shortly after take-off of when the aircraft tail separated from the
fuselage. APA investigators, led by First Officer John David, said
four areas were critical in causing the accident, including the
fact that aircraft manufacturer Airbus failed to notify pilots
about the unique characteristics of the rudder control system.