DELTA CRASH HEARINGS FOCUS ON FLAP SETTING, COCKPIT DISCIPLINE

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that a Delta Air Lines Boeing 727-200 that crashed on takeoff August 31 at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport should have been able to climb out if the wing flaps had been set properly. An alarm that is supposed to warn a flight crew if critical control devices such as flaps are not in the proper position for takeoff did not sound in the cockpit, and both the pilot and copilot testified that they were confident the aircraft's flaps were in the extended or down position even though they did not recall actually checking the gauges. Examination of the wreckage, however, indicated the flaps and flap handle were in the retracted position. There was also recorded conversation with a flight attendant who was in the cockpit during taxi-out and other non-relevant talk among crewmembers. The crash resulted in fourteen fatalities and 76 injured persons. The Air Line Pilots Association has put forth a split flap takeoff theory to explain the accident and has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an emergency airworthiness directive to correct what it contends is a serious deficiency in the takeoff warning system of the Boeing 727.