Airline Amps Up Action Following Fatal Accident
Rewritten Article:
Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, has shown a remarkable level of empathy and leadership following the tragic crash of Flight 5342 in January. His response has not only shifted the public's perception of him but also redefines his leadership.
For years, people wondered if Isom, who became American's CEO in March 2022, had a vision beyond punctual flights and boosting the airline's struggling profits. But since the unfortunate incident, Isom has proven that he's more than just a businessman.
As soon as the Army helicopter collided with Flight 5342 at National Airport in Washington on January 29, claiming the lives of 67 people, including three from the helicopter, Isom demonstrated his compassion. He has continuously acknowledged the victims, consoled their friends and families, and expressed American's concern.
On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had accepted a recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to limit helicopter traffic around National Airport. Isom promptly released a statement saying, “The entire American Airlines family continues to mourn the lives lost in the tragic accident involving Flight 5342," and thanked Duffy and President [Name Redacted] for their swift response.
At the JP Morgan investment conference in New York on Tuesday, Isom took a moment to discuss the crash, displaying a slide titled "Remembering PSA Airlines Flight 5342." Regional carrier PSA operated the flight on behalf of American.
Isom spoke about the steps American has taken to support the families of the victims: "We've had over 200 people deployed throughout February, taking care of all the victims' families' needs, from travel and funerals to any other type of needs."
As Isom addressed the conference, the room fell silent. Dennis Tajer, spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American pilots, was present and commented, "There was an unusual hush and reverence because Robert Isom was speaking from the heart."
The night of the crash, Isom spent the entire night preparing, filmed a video addressing the accident, flew to National Airport around midnight, and participated in the early morning press conference with first responders and government officials. He later met with families of the crash victims and American employees involved in the immediate response, appearing not to have slept or changed his clothes.
Airlines now have CARE teams, which are groups of specially trained employees that provide support to passengers, victims’ families, and impacted employees in the aftermath of a crash. CARE teams were created in response to the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996.
On February 5, American released a statement, saying: "During the night of Jan. 29, American started deploying its CARE Team to Washington, D.C., and Wichita, Kansas. More than 220 CARE Team members immediately and selflessly answered the call and have been working around the clock to comfort and support the families and loved ones. They represent more than 80 different departments from 30 locations around North America."
David Castelveter, a former district sales manager and spokesman for US Airways, observed Isom on television the morning after the crash and stated, “He was quickly responsive and showed sincere contriteness." He praised American's swift response to the January crash.
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Peter Goeltz joined the NTSB in 1995 and became managing director in 1996. He also praised Isom and the American team's response: "From what I could tell, the airport and the airline were very quick to respond and very sensitive in their response." He added, “They rented out a hotel in Bethesda and all of the family members were put up there, and the various agencies came to them."
Goeltz recalled that the 1994 crash of US Airways Flight 427 in Pittsburgh (rudder malfunction) led to changes, notably the first instance where family members came together as a group and communicated directly with the NTSB. Following this event, NTSB Chairman Jim Hall met with the families in Pittsburgh and ensured that US Airways provided a room where family members could view and claim victims' possessions.
In 1996, following the crash of TWA Flight 800 (fuel vapor explosion), the Aviation Family Assistance Act became part of the FAA reauthorization bill. It mandated that airlines must gain NTSB approval for their accident response plans.
- Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, was praised by Peter Goeltz, the managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), for American's swift and sensitive response to the tragic crash of Flight 5342 at National Airport.
- Goeltz also recalled that the responses to the crashes of both Flight 5342 and US Airways Flight 427 led to significant changes in how airlines respond to and communicate with families after accidents, with NTSB Chairman Jim Hall meeting directly with families and ensuring that airlines provide a room for them to view and claim victims' possessions.
- The Aviation Family Assistance Act, which became part of the FAA reauthorization bill in 1996, was a direct result of the changes enacted following the crashes of Flight 5342 and US Airways Flight 427, mandating that airlines must gain NTSB approval for their accident response plans.
