
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, December 10, 1994                   TAG: 9412130014
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

ATR TURBOPROP FLIGHTS BANNED DURING ICING

The Federal Aviation Administration, spurred by a deadly crash in Indiana, banned use of ATR turboprop aircraft when icing conditions are present or predicted.

The order, effective immediately, severely limits use of 153 planes flown by nine regional airlines around the country and could disrupt passenger service in some areas.

No airlines fly the planes out of Roanoke Regional Airport, but Continental Express uses them for flights to and from Richmond and Greensboro, N.C.

FAA Administrator David R. Hinson said Friday he acted the same day he received new information from the plane's manufacturer in France disclosing that control of the plane could be lost in certain weather conditions.

Ice forming on the wings has been a prime suspect in the crash of an American Eagle ATR-72 on Oct. 31 in Roselawn, Ind., that killed 68 people.

by CNB