Pilots in Comair Crash Noted Lack of Runway Lights
WASHINGTON _ As the pilots of Comair Flight 5191 ran through their take-off checklists on the morning of Aug. 27, they talked about job transfers, pay scales, children and a family dog, according to a transcript of their conversation released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Just before the plane crashed into a field next to the airport after using the wrong runway, the two pilots noted the lack of lights on the runway.
“Dat is weird with no lights,” First Officer James Polehinke said.
Capt. Jeffrey Clay responds, “Yeah.”
Fifteen seconds later, the pilot exclaims, “whoa”
Loud noises follow before the transcript cuts off.
The crash killed 49 people. Only Polehinke survived, though he suffered major injuries.
On Wednesday, the transcripts of conversations between the pilots, and with the air traffic controller on duty at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., were released, along with an interview with the controller, who has not been previously identified.
A recording of the communications between the controller and the cockpit was to be released by the Federal Aviation Administration.
According to the cockpit recorder transcripts, the pilots talked about job- and family-related issues as they prepared to depart. They continued as the air traffic controller spoke to them, and at one point joked about their preflight checklist. “Hey man, we already did that one,” Clay said. “We did? … I’m sorry,” co-pilot Polehinke replied.
Clay told the 47 passengers to expect some light winds and broken clouds, then said: “We’ll try to keep it as quiet as possible. Hopefully you can catch a nap going to Atlanta. It’s our pleasure having you all on board.”
There was very little indication from the transcripts that the pilots realized they were on the wrong runway, until Polehinke noted the lack of lights.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which released the documents, previously reported shortly after the crash that recordings indicated the pilots noticed there were no lights on the runway they were using to depart Blue Grass.
The NTSB also released findings of its groups that went to Lexington to examine such elements as weather, airplane design, airport signage and crew experience. The information marked the opening of the NTSB’s public docket on the crash. More facts on the crash will be made public as information is posted to the docket.
When material is released, it refreshes the memories of these family members about Aug. 27 “and does so in a very stressful way,” said Chicago attorney Robert Clifford, who is representing several families in lawsuits against Comair.
The final report, with analyses, conclusions and probable cause, will be made public after a NTSB board meeting in late spring or early summer. The board will not hold a public hearing on the crash.
Last month, the NTSB made two safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration based on preliminary findings: that commercial airlines be ordered to require pilots to cross-check instruments to make sure they are on the right runway and that airlines be required to give pilots specific guidance on runway lighting requirements at night.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed accusing Comair of negligence. However, the airline has sued Blue Grass Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration, asking that they share blame.
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