NTSB Report on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Highlights Critical Role of Two Pilots

WASHINGTON—Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), issued the following statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) adopted its final investigative report into the in-flight separation of a mid-exit door plug on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 at its board meeting today:

"Today's NTSB final report on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 provides another important reminder of why having two highly trained, well-rested, and experienced pilots on the flight deck is absolutely critical to aviation safety. The superior airmanship, extensive training, and quick thinking demonstrated by the captain and first officer saved the lives of all 171 passengers and six crew members aboard. While some seek to put profit ahead of safety and advocate for the removal of pilots from the flight deck, Flight 1282 should be a clear wake-up call that this would be a dangerous path to follow.

“We appreciate the NTSB’s thorough investigation and comprehensive final report. The report underscores the vital importance of having two pilots on the flight deck who can work together, utilizing their extensive experience and all available resources, to safely manage emergencies that no computer system could anticipate or manage. We should be doing everything in our power to build on that success and reject any and all efforts to take our industry backward.”

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org