NTSB MEETING: FINAL REPORTS ON PAYNE STEWART/LEARJET ACCIDENT; ALABAMA PIPELINE EXPLOSION

Two draft accident investigation reports will be on the agenda for consideration by the five-member Board --

1) Factual Report and Brief of Accident: Crash of a Learjet 35 aircraft, carrying professional golfer Payne Stewart and five others, on October 25, 1999 near Aberdeen, South Dakota. Radio contact was lost not long after takeoff from Orlando, Florida, but the aircraft continued to fly for over four hours until it apparently ran out of fuel. There were no survivors in this accident. (NTSB Media Contact: Paul Schlamm)

2) Pipeline Accident Report: Natural gas service line explosion and fire in Bridgeport, Alabama, on January 22, 1999. The explosion resulted in three fatalities and five serious injuries, and destroyed three buildings. (NTSB Media Contact: Lauren Peduzzi)

About one hour after each item concludes, an abstract of each report, containing the Board's findings, the probable cause of the accident, and safety recommendations, will be available in the NTSB's public affairs office on the 6th floor. The abstracts also will be posted on the NTSB web site (www.ntsb.gov). Printed copies of the final reports will be available at a later date.

NTSB Public Affairs: (202) 314-6100, Fax: (202) 314-6110