Pilots Discussed Dating, Not Ice, Before Fatal Crash

A “black box” tape recording from an ill-fated Continental Airlines flight shows the pilots joked about a woman flight attendant’s dating habits but failed to discuss the falling snow before the jet crashed, killing 28 people, a newspaper reported today.

In the nearly three minutes of pilot conversation omitted from a National Transportation Safety Board transcript released earlier, discussion between the pilot and co-pilot centered around whether a woman flight attendant dated pilots, the Denver Post reported.

There was no discussion about de-icing the jet or of the snow falling at Stapleton International Airport in the minutes before the Nov. 15, 1987, crash, the newspaper said.

The Union of Flight Attendants has filed a statement with the transportation board, saying the tape shows the pilots discussing “unnecessary and unprofessional topics.”

But Continental spokesman Bruce Hicks said Monday the black box recording shows the pilots operated a “highly skilled, well-disciplined, professional cockpit.”

Continental, he added, agreed with the transportation board that the unreleased section of tape was not pertinent to the accident investigation.

The fact that the pilots didn’t comment on the snow indicates they didn’t feel it was a problem, Hicks said.

“What it means is that they were human beings who had some conversations,” he said. “But at no point did they neglect their duties. . . . Pilots aren’t robots.”

In the conversation between pilots, the newspaper said Frank Zvonek, the 43-year-old captain, mentioned a flight attendant.

“She said she doesn’t date pilots,” Zvonek was quoted as saying. “She doesn’t go for one-night stands.”

Co-pilot Lee Edward Bruecher, 26, reportedly asked, “How come she doesn’t date pilots? Is it the same reason why I don’t date flight attendants? . . . (laughter).”

Transportation officials are investigating the possibility that the DC-9’s wings were not adequately de-iced prior to takeoff.