National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
July 10, 2008
************************************************************
UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INVOLVING MIDWEST AIRLINES
AIRPLANE CARRYING SENATOR OBAMA
************************************************************
The following is an update on the National Transportation
Safety Board's investigation of the incident involving the
Midwest Airlines MD-81 airplane carrying Senator Barack
Obama on July 7, 2008, in which the tail cone evacuation
slide deployed in-flight.
Preliminary findings reveal that the slide was partially
inflated and the inflation bottle was empty. Examination of
the hardware did not reveal any evidence of missing
components, nor any evidence of tampering.
The slide and hardware were removed from the aircraft for
examination. There was no evidence of any punctures in the
slide; however, there were marks consistent with rubbing of
elevator control cables. Additional evidence was found to
indicate that a catwalk railing was broken and impinged upon
elevator control cables. The slide and hardware will be sent
to the manufacturer for detailed examinations supervised by
the NTSB.
The flight recorders have been removed and are en route to
NTSB headquarters for download and analysis. Flight crew
statements indicate that the crew did not hear the slide
deploy in flight nor did a mechanic who was seated in the
rear of the airplane. The flight crew confirmed that they
detected elevator control stiffness during the initial level
off after departure from Chicago Midway Airport. Maintenance
records have been secured for further examination.
Research has been initiated into the certification of the
slide, its service history, and its design interface with
the airplane.
The NTSB completed the on scene phase of the investigation
yesterday.
Click the links below to view larger images:
Photos:
* Deployed tail cone evacuation slide from incident
airplane:
http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2008/Deployed_slide.jpg
* Undeployed tail cone evacuation slide as installed on
another aircraft:
http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2008/Undeployed_slide.jpg