Tape Raises Chance of Pilot Error in Crash
The cockpit recording from the American Airlines jet that crashed while landing in a thunderstorm contains no mention by the pilots of setting the spoilers that slow down a plane, a federal investigator said Tuesday.
The finding raises more questions about whether the spoilers were set to activate on landing, as co-pilot Michael Origel has said he believes. Previously, investigators said the flight data recorders indicate that the spoilers did not open.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s George W. Black Jr. said it is possible that Capt. Richard Buschmann and Origel communicated nonverbally about the spoilers, by pointing or nodding, for example. Spoilers are panels on the wings that pop up.
The plane ran off the end of a wet runway at more than 90 mph, tore open and caught fire June 1, killing Buschmann and eight passengers. More than 80 people were injured. Two people remained in critical condition Tuesday.
Investigators are examining whether mechanical problems, pilot error, severe weather or a combination of those factors caused the accident.
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