TWA President Pearson Quits After 8 Months

Richard D. Pearson, president of Trans World Airlines, resigned Wednesday, leaving the troubled carrier after an eight-month tenure marked by a tumultuous takeover battle, severe financial losses, a bitter flight attendants strike and slumping business due to fear of terrorism.

Pearson’s resignation, rumored earlier in the day, was confirmed in a brief statement issued by TWA Chairman Carl C. Icahn, a New York financier who took control of the fifth-largest U.S. airline in January.

“Dick Pearson more than made good his promise to stay on and help me through the transition,” Icahn’s statement said. “In addition, Dick’s efforts were indispensable in returning TWA to normal operations during the flight attendants strike.”

The statement did not say whether a successor had been chosen. Telephone calls to the offices of Icahn and Pearson were not returned.