The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has
asked NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., to
assist in the ongoing investigation into the Nov. 12 crash of
American Airlines Flight 587 in Belle Harbor, N.Y.
Components from the tail section of the Airbus A300 will be
shipped to Langley for extensive evaluation. The parts are
due to arrive on Monday, Dec. 3.
The vertical stabilizer and rudder parts are made of a
carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy, a composite material. The
Safety Board is attempting to determine why these components
separated in flight.
Langley was chosen by the NTSB because of its recognized
expertise and extensive experience with composite materials
and structures for civilian and military aircraft and
spacecraft applications.
Due to security policies and the nature and sensitivity of
this investigation, Langley will not comment on the testing
methods and any findings. All questions about the investigation
should be directed to the NTSB at 202/314-6100.
