NTSB Subpoenas American Crew Involved in Near-Collision at JFK

The subpoenas were issued after the crew refused to proceed with a recorded interview with NTSB investigators.

Amelia Walsh

Monday, February 13, 2023 at 12:26 PM ET

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JFK International Airport [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB subpoenaed three American Airlines pilots involved in a near-catastrophic runway incursion at JFK after they repeatedly refused to provide recorded interviews, which the NTSB deemed necessary for accuracy.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA) supported the pilots' refusal, arguing that recorded interviews could hinder candid responses and discourage participation, advocating for traditional note-taking methods instead.
The incident highlighted limitations of current cockpit voice recorders (CVRs), as recordings from both aircraft were overwritten, prompting the NTSB to recommend upgrading CVRs to a minimum 25-hour recording capability.

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On Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board subpoenaed three American Airlines pilots involved in last month’s near-catastrophic runway incursion at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK).

The January 13 incident swept headlines across the country when the American Airlines Boeing 777 crossed an active runway without clearance from air traffic control, causing a Delta Boeing 737 to abort its takeoff. The two aircraft narrowly averted disaster—coming within 1,400 feet of each other (slightly more than what was previously reported).