The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has asked NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., to assist in the ongoing investigation into the Nov. 12 crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in Belle Harbor, N.Y.

Components from the tail section of the Airbus A300 will be shipped to Langley for extensive evaluation. The parts are due to arrive on Monday, Dec. 3.

The vertical stabilizer and rudder parts are made of a carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy, a composite material. The Safety Board is attempting to determine why these components separated in flight.

Langley was chosen by the NTSB because of its recognized expertise and extensive experience with composite materials and structures for civilian and military aircraft and spacecraft applications.

Due to security policies and the nature and sensitivity of this investigation, Langley will not comment on the testing methods and any findings. All questions about the investigation should be directed to the NTSB at 202/314-6100.