ValuJet executive tries to deflect blame for canisters

FAA changes stance on smoke detectors

November 20, 1996
Web posted at: 10:20 p.m. EST

MIAMI (CNN) -- A ValuJet executive Wednesday blamed a maintenance contractor for a crucial mistake that allowed hazardous oxygen-producing canisters to be shipped aboard doomed ValuJet Flight 592 without safety caps.

But under rigorous questioning from federal aviation experts, David Gentry, ValuJet vice president of heavy maintenance, admitted the airline had ultimate responsibility for the work done by outside contractors on its planes.

Gentry said SabreTech Corp. was at fault for not installing the safety caps, the first of a series of errors that may have resulted in a raging fire aboard the DC-9.

"(SabreTech) would have responsibility," Gentry said on the third day of National Transportation Safety Board hearings into the crash of Flight 592, which plunged into the Florida Everglades May 11, killing all 110 people aboard.

Closer questioning

NTSB investigator Bernard Loeb, frustrated by Gentry's vague responses, which caused investigators to repeat questions two or three times, asked: "Does this not raise some question for the flying public about the air-worthiness of an airplane when they get on it? Is it your responsibility?"

"Yes," Gentry replied.

Earlier in the week, testimony indicated that safety caps, which cost about $1 each, should have been installed to prevent firing pins on the canisters from being accidentally activated. When activated, the chemical-filled devices produce oxygen for passengers' emergency masks.

There also was testimony that shipping labels for the canisters incorrectly listed them as empty.

FAA promises speedy rule review

The Federal Aviation Administration, which now says it favors installing smoke detectors in aircraft, denied it has been dragging its feet on the issue.

"The cost-benefit analysis is much more favorable now," FAA Chief of Staff Lynn Osmus said at Wednesday's hearing.

"We are looking at working out some of the phase-in issues and some of the technical issues associated with it, and would hope to have a rule, a proposed rule, hopefully by the spring."

In 1988, the FAA rejected as too expensive a proposal that fire-suppression systems and smoke detectors be installed in the cargo bays of aircraft. The FAA now says the subject is on the fast track. Regardless, experts say it could take years to retrofit about 2,800 older planes.

Correspondent Susan Candiotti and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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