Pilot error blamed for plane crash that killed 265 in US

THE co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 587 caused the November 2001 crash that claimed the lives of 265 people, staff at the US airline safety agency reported yesterday.

Investigator Robert Benzon of the National Transportation Safety Board’s staff said the co-pilot’s response to turbulence, just seconds after the Airbus A300-600 plane took off from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport, was “unnecessary and aggressive”.

Benzon also said investigators found 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 said the rudder control system is sensitive at higher air speeds, which is potentially hazardous.

On November 12, 2001, First Officer Sten Molin, the co-pilot, moved the plane’s rudder back and forth after takeoff trying to control the climbing aircraft in turbulence, not realising he was sealing the grim fate of those on board.

“Hang on to it, hang on to it,” Captain Edward States implored.

“Let’s go for power, please,” Molin said.

A second later came a loud bang, which investigators believe was the tail breaking off.

Then came the roar of air rushing against the aircraft and alarms sounding in the cockpit. “What the hell are we into (inaudible)?” Molin said. “We’re stuck in it.”

States’ last recorded words came five seconds later: “Get out of it! Get out of it!”