NTSB sends team to assist Colombian government following Boeing 747 freighter crash

National Transportation Safety BoardWashington, DC 20594July 7, 2008

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team of investigators to assist the Government of Colombia in its investigation of this morning's crash of a Boeing 747-200 freighter.

At about 2:52 a.m. EDT on July 7, the cargo aircraft (N714AC), operated by Kalitta Airlines as a wet lease to Centurion Airlines, crashed shortly after takeoff from El Dorado International Airport, Bogota, Colombia. Reports indicate that the 8 persons on board survived the crash but that there might be some ground fatalities.

The Colombian government requested assistance from the United States, as the country of design and manufacture of the airplane and engines.

NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has designated Senior Investigator Dennis Jones as U.S. Accredited Representative for this accident.

His team will include four other NTSB investigators, as well as representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney Engines.The investigation is being conducted by the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aviation of Colombia, which will release all information on the progress of the investigation.

Fonte: NTSB Advisory.