Jet in deadly flight may have had ‘trim issues’: NTSB

By DAVE COLLINS and DAVID SHARP
Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — National transportation authorities say a corporate jet may have experienced stability problems before the severe buffeting that caused the death of a passenger. The NTSB initially reported that the plane experienced severe turbulence on Friday. But in a news release Monday, the agency says it’s now looking into a “reported trim issue.” Trimming refers to adjustments made to an airplane’s control surfaces to ensure the aircraft is stable and level in flight. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an air worthiness directive for the same model of Bombardier aircraft following trim problems in certain circumstances. The Bombardier business jet was traveling from New Hampshire to Virginia before diverting to Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.