NTSB bans airline, pilots union from participating in UPS 1354 crash investigation
Mike D. Smith |
[email protected] By Mike D. Smith |
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on August 25, 2014 at 4:26 PM, updated August 25, 2014 at 4:42 PM
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The National Transportation Safety Board has blocked a pilots union and UPS Airlines from giving any more technical assistance in the investigation of the crash of UPS Flight 1354.
The cargo airline's Airbus A300 crashed short of the runway on approach to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport before dawn on Aug. 14, 2013, killing the two pilots on board.
The NTSB's investigation is in its final stages, officials have said.
The agency issued a statement Monday that the International Pilots Association violated the terms of participation in the investigation by providing its own analysis of the crash through a press release on the one-year anniversary.
UPS Airlines then publicly commented by posting a response to IPA's analysis on a website.
Both parties acted without first consulting with the NTSB, according to the agency.
Those actions violate their "party status" agreement, which allows them to give technical assistance in the investigation, according to NTSB.
With this status revoked, the union and the airline may no longer assist. The ban will last until the investigation is complete.
The NTSB has sent letters informing the parties of this change.
"NTSB investigations depend heavily upon technical input from the accident parties," acting NTSB Chair Christopher A. Hart said in a statement. "If one party disseminates information about the accident, it may reflect that party's bias. This puts other parties at a disadvantage and makes them less willing to engage in the process, which can undercut the entire investigation."
IPA spokesman Brian Gaudet said that the organization won't comment on the NTSB's decision or the crash until the final report is released.
NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss said the investigation's final report may be complete in early September.