MEDIA ADVISORY
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

February 11, 1998

At approximately 9:48 a.m. Central Standard Time on February 9, 1998, at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, American Airlines flight #1340, N845AA, a Boeing 727-223, with 6 crew (3 flight attendants) and 115 passengers aboard, landed approximately 200 feet short of runway 14R. The airplane skidded approximately 2,000 feet before coming to rest on the west side of the runway. The aircraft had been cleared for an Instrument Landing System approach to runway 14R.

The NTSB interviewed the pilots and flight attendants yesterday. The Captain, who was hired by American in 1984 and had 400 hours as a Captain in the B727, was the flying pilot. This was his first Category II landing in a B727. The First Officer was hired in August 1988 and the Flight Engineer was hired in June 1997. The accident occurred on the second day of a three day trip for the crew. Two of the three flight attendants were seated at the time of impact.

Cabin inspection revealed that no seats failed on impact.

Runway 14R was released by the NTSB yesterday afternoon and was returned to service this morning.

The engines are being removed from the aircraft so that they can be inspected today.

The Air Traffic Controllers will be interviewed by the NTSB today. The NTSB will also be interviewing the crews of aircraft that landed just before and after the accident aircraft.

The aircraft will likely be moved tonight.

CORRECTIONS to 2-10-98 MEDIA ADVISORY:

One investigative group was accidentally omitted: Airworthiness

Weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported as:

ceiling was 100’ overcast

There will be no press conferences. Another media advisory will be issued tomorrow.

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Media Contact: Shelly Hazle 202-314-6100.