Allied Pilots Association Reacts to New York Times Article Focusing On Co-Pilot's Performance:...

Business Editors

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2002

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,300 pilots of American Airlines (AMR:NYSE), expressed its outrage regarding an article that appears in today's edition of The New York

"This article focuses on so-called 'new information' attributed to unnamed investigators that suggest First Officer Sten Molin's performance somehow led to the Flight #587 accident. To reach any conclusions about the cause of this accident until the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded its investigation is premature and inappropriate," said Captain John E. Darrah, APA President.

According to the article, the NTSB received information from an American Airlines Captain with whom First Officer Molin flew in 1997 that calls into question First Officer Molin's handling of wake turbulence. Flight #587 departed immediately after a Tokyo-bound Japan Airlines 747-400, and subsequently encountered the 747's wake. The turbulence produced by an aircraft's wake -- particularly that of a large, heavy aircraft such as a 747-400 -- is the number one cause of loss of control involving multi-engine turbojet aircraft.

Darrah noted that the Captain who provided the information flew a total of six flights with First Officer Molin almost six years ago. He further noted that the NTSB also has testimony from both Flight Engineers who were aboard the same flights that directly contradicts the Captain's testimony. In addition, the NTSB has testimony from other Captains who flew more than 70 flights with First Officer Molin who have nothing but praise for his piloting abilities.

"It seems ill advised to focus on one individual's testimony when it is clear that this testimony is in dispute," said Darrah. "The traveling public is much better served by permitting a methodical, thorough investigation to go forward without the unnecessary distraction produced by such incomplete, dubious information."

Earlier this year as part of its participation in the Flight #587 accident investigation, APA called for non-destructive testing of composite materials on today's modern airliners; asked the Federal Aviation Administration to update wake turbulence studies for the new, heavier wide-body aircraft now operating; and asked for a safety study of the departure procedure at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

"The goal of the investigation process is to pinpoint the cause of this accident so that we can prevent any recurrence, and APA is absolutely committed to that goal," said Darrah.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, APA was founded in 1963.