Release #06.050
August 31, 2006

Comair Pilots’ Statement on Flight 5191

LEXINGTON, K.Y. --- The following statement was issued by Capt. J.C. Lawson, chairman of the Comair Pilots’ Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

“On behalf of every member of the Comair pilot group, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the crewmembers and to the families, friends, and associates of all those involved in Comair Flight 5191.

“We mourn the loss of our colleagues and friends, while we pray for the speedy recovery of First Officer James Polehinke, and we remain committed to making this nation’s air transportation system ever safer. Each and every Comair pilot stands ready to contribute in any way possible to help prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

“The ALPA Safety Committee at Comair responded immediately and is participating in the investigation. More than 30 Comair ALPA pilots, pilots from other ALPA-represented airlines, and members of the Association’s Engineering and Air Safety staff have come together to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. The Comair MEC and ALPA are providing accident investigators and Critical Incident Response Program representatives, as well as communications, representation, and MEC office support both in Lexington and in the Cincinnati area.

“Comair pilots fully support the NTSB and others investigating Flight 5191. We work to honor our fallen comrades, and all those who died, with a legacy of a safer air transportation system.”

ALPA represents 61,000 airline pilots at 40 airlines in the United States and Canada. Its website is www.alpa.org.

# # #

Comair Pilot Group Contact: Paul Denke, (513) 253-1852
ALPA Contact: John Perkinson, (703) 481-4440