Divers recover flight data recorder
May 13, 1996
Web posted at: 6:50 p.m. EDTMIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Divers on Monday found the flight data recorder from the crash of ValuJet Flight 592.
The so-called "black box" could give investigators clues to why the DC-9 plummeted into the Florida Everglades Saturday killing all 109 people aboard.
National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Robert Francis said earlier Monday, the recorder may not provide conclusive evidence of why the plane went down.
Because the DC-9 was 27 years old, Francis said, its flight data recorder was only able to track 11 "parameters," or airplane functions. More modern recorders can track as many as 200 airplane functions.
The black box was recovered during a carefully plotted grid search of the crash site, as divers continued collecting body parts and bits of aircraft from the swampy mire.
Francis also said it is doubtful that large sections of the plane will be found. The largest piece of wreckage found so far is only 8 feet long. Thus far, no bodies have been located, but searchers have reportedly recovered body parts.
Many of the searchers are calling it the most difficult crash scene they had ever encountered. How to go about the search amid the swamp's sludge has stumped investigators. Twenty-eight rescue experts held a conference call Sunday to discuss methods, but no one could agree on a set plan, Francis said.
A proposal to build temporary dams to drain the area appears to be impractical.
"The porous limestone underneath would just allow the water to come back up again," Francis said.
The plane crashed in the Everglades Saturday about 16 miles from Miami International Airport after the pilot reported smoke in the cabin and cockpit.
Correspondent John Zarrella, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Safety issues may hurt no-frills airlines - May 13, 1996
- In wake of crash, FAA to increase scrutiny of ValuJet - May 13, 1996
- FAA official says ValuJet was thoroughly inspected - May 13, 1996
- High school sweethearts, missionaries among crash victims - May 13, 1996
- Search for survivors called off - May 12, 1996
- Families, loved ones in shock - May 12, 1996
- Road to be built at plane crash site - May 12, 1996
- Regulators defend safety record of budget airlines - May 12, 1996
- Pena says ValuJet followed safety rules - May 12, 1996
Related sites:
- ValuJet stock quote
- Federal Aviation Administration
- ValuJet home page
- Miami International Airport
- United States Coast Guard home page
- The US Department of Transportation
Related newsgroups:
FeedbackSend us your comments.Selected responses are posted daily. |
|
![[Imagemap]](/US/images/9601/navbar.gif){kind=small}
Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
