Crew Errors Probably Caused Hendrick Crash

Flight crew errors probably caused a 2004 Hendrick Motorsports plane crash that killed 10 people with ties to one of NASCAR’s top racing families, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.

The crew improperly read instruments and missed a landing approach to Blue Ridge Airport in Martinsville, Va., the NTSB said in a report synopsis e-mailed to the Associated Press. The Beech King Air 200 crashed into fog-shrouded Bull Mountain in the foothills of the Appalachians in October 2004.

The crash killed the son, brother and two nieces of Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick.

The final NTSB report will not be published for another three to four weeks.

PRO FOOTBALL

NFL Continues to Defend Officials

The NFL continued to defend the officiating in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Two days after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10, in the NFL title game, the league said that the game was “properly officiated.”

“Including, as in most NFL games, some tight plays that produced disagreement about the calls made by the officials,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement.

Ken Whisenhunt, the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was set to interview today for the Oakland Raiders’ coaching vacancy.

NFL most valuable player Shaun Alexander said he sprained his right foot during the Seahawks’ loss to Pittsburgh. The injury may keep him out of Sunday’s Pro Bowl.

Terry Bradway stepped down as general manager of the New York Jets. Assistant GM Mike Tannenbaum takes over for Bradway, who will stay with the team as a consultant.

BASEBALL

Japanese Pitcher Signs With Dodgers

The Dodgers signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Takashi Saito to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Saito, 35, was 87-78 with 48 saves in 13 seasons with the Tokohama Baystars.

“Saito is a very versatile pitcher who has been a starter, reliever and closer,” Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti said. “We believe his experience will give him the opportunity to make the Dodgers.”

-- Steve Henson

Free-agent outfielder Jeff DaVanon, a former Angel, agreed to a $525,000, one-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

MISCELLANY

Jones and Conte Agree to Settlement

Track star Marion Jones has settled her $25-million defamation lawsuit against Victor Conte, the convicted ringleader in the BALCO doping scandal.

Conte, who’s serving a four-month prison term for his role in the steroid scandal, had alleged Jones used banned performance-enhancing drugs.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Sparks have signed 6-foot-8 center Ha Eun-joo to a free agent contract. The second Korean player signed by a WNBA team, Ha has played professionally in Japan since 2003.

Quarantines on two barns at Pimlico Race Course have been lifted after sensitive tests did not find any traces of the equine herpes virus that killed three horses.

The Galaxy will play the South Korea national team tonight at the Home Depot Center.