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FAA Orders Weighing of Passengers, Baggage in Aftermath of Beech 1900 Crash
Aired January 28, 2003 - 14:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: There's word out today about a possible cause of that plane crash in Charlotte, North Carolina that killed 21 people earlier this month. Also emergency inspections of the type of the plane involved. With the latest, CNN's Patty Davis in Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, federal crash investigators say evidence is pointing to improperly rigged elevator cables. Now those control the up and down pitch of the plane's nose. Saying that may have been a big factor.
They're also looking at whether cargo shifted during takeoff. Those two things together, safety experts say, would make it virtuality possible for the pilot to control the plane.
Now meanwhile yesterday the FAA ordered emergency inspections of all Beech 1900s to make sure they do not have the same problem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS (voice-over): Nearly three weeks after Air Midwest Flight 5481 crashed in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing all 21 people on board, the FAA has ordered emergency inspections of all similar aircraft by midnight Friday.
The FAA wants to make sure the systems that control the elevator on the tail of Beech 1900 commuter planes are working properly, all 368 in the U.S. The elevators move the plane's nose up and down.
PETER GOELZ, FRM. NTSB MANAGING DIR.: The investigation of this tragic accident in Charlotte has revealed that there could be a problem with the elevator, particularly after it's been maintained. And they want to make sure that when each aircraft comes out of maintenance, that there is full travel on that elevator.
DAVIS: The Air Midwest flight had undergone maintenance on its elevator just two days before the crash. All nine flights after that maintenance showed unusual elevator movements.
Weight and balance may also have played a role in the crash, so the FAA told the 24 airlines that operate small commuter flights of 10 to 19 seats to weigh some passengers and their bags.
Right now, no regional airlines weigh their passengers or cargo. Instead they estimate. And that could be inaccurate. The supersizing of Americans' waistlines may have made passengers heavier than the 185 pounds the FAA estimates and their bags heavier than the 25 pounds the FAA assumes. The airlines have a month to get that job done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Now, the FAA says it has enough evidence so far on this crash to warrant its swift action -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, our Patty Davis. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Beech 1900 Crash>
Aired January 28, 2003 - 14:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: There's word out today about a possible cause of that plane crash in Charlotte, North Carolina that killed 21 people earlier this month. Also emergency inspections of the type of the plane involved. With the latest, CNN's Patty Davis in Washington -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, federal crash investigators say evidence is pointing to improperly rigged elevator cables. Now those control the up and down pitch of the plane's nose. Saying that may have been a big factor.
They're also looking at whether cargo shifted during takeoff. Those two things together, safety experts say, would make it virtuality possible for the pilot to control the plane.
Now meanwhile yesterday the FAA ordered emergency inspections of all Beech 1900s to make sure they do not have the same problem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS (voice-over): Nearly three weeks after Air Midwest Flight 5481 crashed in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing all 21 people on board, the FAA has ordered emergency inspections of all similar aircraft by midnight Friday.
The FAA wants to make sure the systems that control the elevator on the tail of Beech 1900 commuter planes are working properly, all 368 in the U.S. The elevators move the plane's nose up and down.
PETER GOELZ, FRM. NTSB MANAGING DIR.: The investigation of this tragic accident in Charlotte has revealed that there could be a problem with the elevator, particularly after it's been maintained. And they want to make sure that when each aircraft comes out of maintenance, that there is full travel on that elevator.
DAVIS: The Air Midwest flight had undergone maintenance on its elevator just two days before the crash. All nine flights after that maintenance showed unusual elevator movements.
Weight and balance may also have played a role in the crash, so the FAA told the 24 airlines that operate small commuter flights of 10 to 19 seats to weigh some passengers and their bags.
Right now, no regional airlines weigh their passengers or cargo. Instead they estimate. And that could be inaccurate. The supersizing of Americans' waistlines may have made passengers heavier than the 185 pounds the FAA estimates and their bags heavier than the 25 pounds the FAA assumes. The airlines have a month to get that job done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIS: Now, the FAA says it has enough evidence so far on this crash to warrant its swift action -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right, our Patty Davis. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Beech 1900 Crash>
