The latest NTSB press conference will start shortly (2pm PDT). Live feed here http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/live#&cmp=twi-kgo-live

I will update this post with a summary any new information delivered by the NTSB.

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July 9 NTSB press conference on the Flight 214 accident

Just waiting to start, running a bit behind schedule.

14:52 PDT Debbie Hersman begins press conference 52 minutes later than planned

Post crash fire number 2 engine
Oil tank ruptured and leaked fuel onto engine
Thrush reversers were stowed

Requested data for all 777 landings on 28L last few days and all go arounds on same runway since June

Speed brake was not in use

They don't have the passenger manifest yet

Door 4L on the ground (detached)

Gear hit sea wall first, then tail

Cabin debris found early on in debris field. Galley material, newspapers and flooring

Talking about evacuation procedure and practice drills for 777

Interviews with crew took longer than expected. Interviewed 2 yesterday. 2 today. Last interview still in progress.

Info on flight crew coming now...

All crew members cooperative. Interviews took longer. Translation needs.

3 pilots in cockpit at time of crash

1 pilot in back (in cabin)

Flying pilot in left seat. Instructer pilot in right seat. Relief first officer in jump seat. Relief captain in cabin.

Flying pilot inital operating experience in 777. Requires 20 flight and 60 flight hours. Had completed 10 legs and 35 hours. So half way through IOE.

Flying pilot rated 737, 747, A320 and 777(??). Instructor for A320 and A321. A320 for over 10 years.

Loads of information on hours, can't keep up.

Talking about instructor pilot now. Was first trip as instructor pilot. He was the pilot in command (right seat) but not flying.

First time flying pilot and pilot in command flew together.




Pilot in jump seat commented he could not see runway (nose pitched up).

Were high at 4,000ft set vertical set vertical speed 1500ft minute

Noticed were low on papi

Told pilot to pull back

Set speed 130kt

Pilot in command said in interview assumed auto throttle was maintaining speed

500-200ft lateral deviation and were low, trying to correct at this point

200ft noticed in PAPI was red, airspeed in hatched area on speed tape, noticed AT not maintaining speed - pushed throttle forward for go around.

After impact aircraft ballooned and yawed left, 360 spin

(above info from crew interviews)

Talking about drug and alcohol testing requirements now. Crews involved in accident must be tested. Crew members not tested post crash.

Questions now... expect more press speculation...

Q: Have slides deployed in aircraft? A: Talking about this, trapped flight attended from chute deployed inside (already been documented in press) NTSB investigating why this happened - not intended behaviour

Q: Drug and alcohol testing. Why were crew not tested? Who was responsible? A: American crew required to be tested. Foreign crew not required in US law. Defers to country crew are based laws.

Q: Speculation on pilot error. A: No comment. Talking about facts. Will not speculate. Debbie lecturing press on not speculating....

First / business class cabin heavily damaged by fire. Extensive fire damage in this cabin.

Q: auto throttle settings. A: speed set to 130kt. AT armed. Armed means available to be engaged. NTSB investigating mode settings and if crew understood them.

Q: Back up for AT system for holding speed? A: Boeing to provide detailed information about AT system, modes, etc. Debbie being clear crew is required to maintain safe aircraft - they must monitor - 3 pilots in cockpit have monitoring function. Critical to monitor speed in approach to land. NTSB need to understand what was going on in cockpit and aircraft.

Q: more on interior slide deployment A: NTSB need to document and investigate...

Q: why was 4th pilot in cabin? A: Flying pilot in initial operating experience, instructor pilot is training captain - paired together. Begin trip together. Take off and fly. Then other two relieved. Before arrival flying pilot and instructor come back into cockpit to land. 3rd pilot came in to monitor landing.

Q: pilots union critical on information NTSB providing A: information provided is consistent with NTSB procedure. Hallmark of NTSB is transparency. They work for travelling public.

A: what is lateral deviation? A: not lined up with center line. They were trying to correct between 500ft and 200ft. Correcting because they were off center and low. Crew were trying to correct between 500ft and 200ft.

One more question...

Q: Chinese media reports surviving passenger states one of fatal girls unbuckled seat belt prior to landing. A: no comment

That's all folks. They'll be back tomorrow with more factual information.