Co-pilot blamed for New York crash that killed 265
The co-pilot of an American Airlines flight caused the November 2001 crash in New York that claimed the lives of 265 people, staff at the nation’s airline safety agency reported today.
Investigator Robert Benson said the co-pilot’s response to turbulence, just seconds after the Airbus A300-600 plane took off from John F Kennedy International Airport, was “unnecessary and aggressive”.
Benzon investigators also concluded that American Airlines improperly trained its pilots to use the aircraft’s rudder while recovering from upsets and said the problem could have been exacerbated by the airline’s simulator training.
Benzon also said that the rudder control system on the aircraft is sensitive at higher air speeds, which is potentially hazardous.
The safety board itself was expected later today to rule on the staff’s findings.
