ALPA statement on UPS Flight 1354

In the wake of the tragic news this morning regarding UPS Flight 1354, first and foremost, our thoughts are with those affected by the accident. ALPA has offered its extensive experience and support to the UPS pilots through the leadership at the Independent Pilots Association. We are currently dispatching ALPA safety representatives to the Birmingham area to be available for assistance.

As reported in the media, UPS Flight 1354, an Airbus A300F, crashed this morning near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Alabama. According to a National Transportation Safety Board press conference, the NTSB investigative team will reach the scene late this morning. NTSB released no further details of the event.

As with all accidents and incidents, ALPA will continue to offer support and work with the NTSB and IPA as appropriate. We will reiterate our long-standing position on the necessity of an objective accident investigation process that is based on the fundamental principle of obtaining all the facts to perform accurate analysis in the context of all factors that may have led to an accident. All factors, including fatigue, weather, mechanical malfunction, and a host of others must be thoroughly and exhaustively evaluated in order to identify every aspect of a tragedy to prevent recurrence.

As we receive additional information, we will update the membership.

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