NTSB Boots UPS, Pilots Union from Crash Investigation Team

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 07:32 PM ET

Verified

** UPS Flight 1354** Courtesy of the NTSB

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB has removed both UPS and its pilots union (Independent Pilots Association) from the investigation into the 2013 UPS Flight 1354 crash.
This decision followed a public relations conflict where the union issued a press release about the crash and UPS responded publicly, violating NTSB rules.
The NTSB stated that parties disseminating information about an accident can introduce bias and undermine the integrity of the entire investigation process.
UPS expressed surprise and disappointment, believing the NTSB changed the rules, and plans to appeal the decision.

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A public relations war of words between UPS and the cargo airline’s pilots union has gotten both kicked off the investigation team working to determine what caused the crash of UPS Flight 1354 in Birmingham, Alabama, on Aug. 14, 2013.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced yesterday it has revoked the party status of UPS and the Independent Pilots Association, barring further involvement by representatives from either side looking into the crash of the UPS Airbus A300-600, which killed both pilots while attempting to land in Birmingham. The action came after the union on August 13 issued a press release titled “UPS Pilots Call for End of Part 117 Carve-out on Anniversary of Fatigue Crash” and UPS responded with comments on the Air Cargo World website.