National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators are examining the theory that wake turbulence from another airliner contributed to the November crash of American Airlines Flight 587. Preliminary airline industry analysis of the flight data recorder has revealed that the Airbus encountered turbulence from a Japan Air Lines 747 that took off less than two minutes before the American flight.

NTSB investigators have turned their attention to the tail fin, which may have separated from the jet after encountering the severe wake turbulence. NTSB experts believe the tail fin may have severed from the fuselage sending the plane into the ill-fated dive that tore off the jet's two engines. Officials are also looking into a 1988 repair of one of the the tail fin's fittings.

American Airlines has conducted a voluntary inspection of its fleet of 90 Airbus A-300s. The airline reports that no major problems have been uncovered. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering requiring inspections of all Airbus A-300 models.