November 13, 2001–Investigators have recovered the flight data recorder from American Airlines Flight 587, which tracks speed and actions of the engine and instruments. Yesterday, authorities recovered the cockpit voice recorder, and are still in NYC scouring the wreackage for clues indicating what went wrong aboard American Airlines Flight 587.
Earliy indications are that the crash was an accident, based on communications from the cockpit voice recorder. NTSB head Marion Blakely said that communicaions from the cockpit were normal untl the last few seconds before the crash.
The number of passengers on the plane at the time of the crash was increased to 251 yesterday, bringing the total on the plane to 260. Five people from the neighborhood in which the plane crashed are listed as missing.
Mayor Giuliani said yesterday that 262 bodies had been recovered, along with 180 parts of bodies.
November 12, 2001–13:41: A short time ago, Mayor Giuliani held a short news conference in Queens, NYC. Giuliani confirmed that at least four homes were destroyed and at least four homes severely damaged. In total 8-12 homes have been damaged in some way by the crash. There are smaller fires that are contained, but not yet under control. He also stated that recovery of bodies has begun and officials hope to identify bodies as quickly as possible. He also reconfirmed that officially there are two crash sites: one where one engine fell, and the other where the main part of the plane fell. Also, officials confirm that part of a wing from the plane fell in Jamaica Bay. Unofficial reports have another engine destroying the back of a victorian home in Queens.
As of 1107 hours, reports state that the Bush Administration and FBI believe there was an explosion on the plane that crashed in Queens, NYC this morning. There is no confirmation that the explosion was caused by a mechanical failure or sabotage.
As of 1025 hours, reports from NYC state that up to 12 buildings have been affected by the crash, but the extent of damage at this point is unknown. Pentagon officials report that surveillance aircraft in the area reported no unusual circumstances prior to the crash.
Mayor Giuliani has confirmed that there are two crash sites in Queens, one where an engine from the aircraft came down, and the second where the plane actually crashed.
Giuliani also confirmed that bridges and tunnels into NYC will be closed for two to three hours. The city is on high alert, but there is no reason to believe at this point that this crash is anything more than an isolated event.
Keep checking back for more details as they become available.
