Aviation - NTSB Opens Public Docket On 2010 American Airlines Decompression

Washington, August 20, 2011: As part of the continuing investigation into the 2010 rapid decompression that occurred following a fuselage rupture aboard an American Airlines flight shortly after departing Miami, FL, the NTSB opened its public docket on Friday.

On October 26, 2010, American Airlines flight 1640, a Boeing 757-223, while climbing through 32,000 feet, experienced a rapid decompression. The crew executed an emergency descent back to Miami International Airport and landed the aircraft without further incident. There were no injuries to the 6 crewmembers and 154 passengers.

A ground inspection of the airplane shortly after it landed in Miami revealed a section of the fuselage crown skin, measuring approximately 18 inches by 7 inches, had ruptured just above and aft of the forward left passenger door. Included in the documents released today are a summary of the cockpit voice recorder and reports from the metallurgy and airworthiness groups.

The information contained in the docket is factual in nature and does not provide any analysis. Additional material will be added to the docket as it becomes available. Analysis of the accident, along with conclusions and a determination of probable cause, will come at a later date when the final report on the investigation is completed.