NTSB: Marks show plane was airborne, brakes have 'a lot of life left'

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DENVER - Investigators say tire marks show the twin-engine Boeing 737 that crashed Saturday night at Denver International Airport did become airborne after hitting a berm.

The 115 passengers and crew aboard Flight 1404 were forced to flee through emergency exits as the plane burned. The jet had shed its left engine and both main landing gears. The entire right side of the jet was burned, and melted plastic from overhead compartments dripped onto the seats.

National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt said Monday night there was no debris on the runway before the crash, and that the runway was clear and dry. He also says although crews don't have any access to the nose of the plane yet, the brakes didn't show any leaks. In fact, Sumwalt said, "There's a lot of life left on these brakes."

National Transportation Safety Board investigators conducted preliminary reviews of the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder on Sunday, agency spokesman Peter Knudson said.

Sumwalt said the flight recorders do not indicate that there was a pre-impact problem with the engines.

The weather was clear and cold when the plane attempted to take off for Houston about 6:20 p.m. Saturday. Winds at the airport were 31 mph, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The NTSB interviewed the first officer. He said the takeoff started out normal. The first officer also said that after the plane skidded to a halt, he went into the plane three times to help passengers. Investigators also talked to the three flight attendants on board, who reported a "violent pounding" before the plane stopped. They also said that the emergency lights were on when the plane came to a stop.

Sumwalt says investigators plan to interview the captain of the plane Tuesday.

Runway 34R reopened at 6 p.m. Monday. All runways are now open. Sumwalt says the NTSB has finished looking at the runway and is beginning to finish the on-scene portion of the investigation.

The damaged plane was expected to remain in the ravine for several days, said Sumwalt.