The Nome Nugget

Pilot Tried Halt
Takeoff of Jetliner

PARIS (AP) ~ Evidence mounted yesterday that the pilot of the chartered jetliner that crashed with the loss of 130 lives made a desperate attempt to halt his takeoff.

The four-engine Air France Boeing 707 jet rose only a few feet before plunging to earth, smashing through a fence and exploding into flames at Orly Airport Sunday. All 121 American passengers, including many Atlanta cultural leaders, eight crewmen and Air France's Atlanta agent were killed.

The investigation of the crash may not be completed for six months, but there were a number of indications that Capt. Roland Hoche, one of Air France's most experienced pilots, was aware of impending disaster and frantically tried to halt the huge craft.

Pierre Loiseau, a radio operator at the Orly control tower, said he saw smoke coming from the big jet's wheels, indicating the pilot slammed on the brakes as the plane approached its normal takeoff point. Loiseau said the plane swayed from side to side as though the pilot was maneuvering in an effort to cut speed.

Skid marks on the runway indicated the pilot had his brakes on for about 500 yards.

Investigators reportedly found the plane's throttle levers in the reverse position, another indication that the pilot tried vainly to halt the jet.

Francoise Authie, 23, one of the stewardesses who were the only survivors, said she felt the engines slow as the plane rolled down the runway.

"When the engines slowed down I knew we would not take off," she said. "I did not imagine for a moment that we were in danger. Then it happened - like that - suddenly."

She said there were several jolts as the plane came apart with a loud crashing noise.

Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. reported it may be some time before identification of the 105 Atlantans killed in the crash is completed and arrangements are made to send the bodies home.