As with any aviation incident or accident, ALPA urges the exercise of extreme caution before speculating regarding the cause of the accident. The sole focus of all concerned must be on allowing the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other appropriate authorities to conduct a complete investigation. As the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization, ALPA has made our resources and expertise available to investigators in the event we can assist in their efforts.
As we allow the investigation process to take place and await the NTSB’s recommendations to prevent such an accident from happening again, it is impossible not to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Flight 1380 crew to bring the crippled aircraft in for a safe landing. The professionalism displayed by the captain and crew made clear again why our industry places such a high value on training and experience.
ALPA will stay connected and engaged to support in every way possible the individuals involved and the investigation under way to advance a goal all airline pilots share: maintaining the safest possible air transportation system for our passengers and our cargo shippers.