ATW Daily News

Continental 737 recorders yield 'good data'

Tuesday December 23, 2008

Five passengers remained in the hospital yesterday as the US National Transportation Safety Board's Go Team continued to investigate the Saturday evening crash of a Continental Airlines 737-500 that veered from Denver International Airport's runway 34R while on its takeoff roll, crossed a field and a taxiway, careened down a 40-ft. hill and caught fire.

None of the 110 passengers and five crew aboard CO Flight 1404 en route to Houston Intercontinental were killed, though some 38 initially were taken to hospitals with injuries, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The left engine separated from the wing, the undercarriage collapsed and passengers were evacuated via slides as the aircraft's right side burned.

The plane first flew in 1994 and was powered by CFM56-3C1s. An NTSB investigator told The Denver Post that the agency hoped to conclude its on-site work by Wednesday.

US FAA records show the aircraft made an emergency landing at DEN in 1995 following an engine failure, according to press reports. No injuries were reported and the engine was replaced.

The flight data and cockpit voice recorders were reviewed Sunday and produced "good data," an NTSB spokesperson told the Associated Press. The pilots reportedly were scheduled to be interviewed yesterday. FAA said winds at DEN were 31 mph Saturday and weather was described as clear. Five of the airport's six runways were open yesterday.

by Brian Straus

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