ATW Daily News

'Rattling' sound, takeoff abort anchor Continental investigation

Wednesday December 24, 2008

Accident investigators are looking into what caused the pilots of a Continental Airlines 737-500 to abort takeoff on Saturday evening in Denver, where the aircraft veered from the runway into a ravine in an accident that destroyed the plane and injured 38.

According to press reports, investigators are looking into a "rattling" sound on the cockpit recorder that began 41 sec. after the brakes were released and the aircraft started down Denver International's 12,000-ft. Runway 34R. Four sec. later, one member of the cockpit crew called for an abort and both thrust reversers were activated. At that point, the 737 had traveled an estimated 2,000-2,500 ft., according to reports. At 51 sec. the recording stopped.

CO Flight 1404 was headed to Houston Intercontinental with 110 passengers and five crew. Five occupants were hospitalized overnight, including Capt. David Butler, according to the Houston Chronicle. Butler has been with CO for 11 years.

A US National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson told reporters that no problems have been found so far with the aircraft's engines, brakes or tires. "The brakes showed no leaks, no locked brakes," the spokesperson said, according to CNN, adding that the pads "looked good."

According to the Associated Press, an NTSB interview with the copilot indicated that the aircraft drifted from the runway's center as it reached 103 mph. Winds reportedly reached 31 mph, but the spokesperson said the wind was not discussed in the cockpit. The runway was clear and dry.

by Brian Straus

Other headlines:

Sponsored Links