Flight 587, an American Airlines Airbus A300 aircraft en route from New York Kennedy to Santo Domingo, crashed today near Kennedy airport. The preliminary passenger list indicates the aircraft carried 246 passengers and a crew of nine. American Airlines will not speculate as to possible causes of the accident. At this point, no additional details can be confirmed.

Family members wishing to receive information about passengers may contact American Airlines at the following toll-free number: (800) 245-0999.

American Airlines officials are in direct contact with officials of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and American is cooperating fully with federal, state and local authorities.

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