bryan%sdcsvax@CRASH.UUCP (03/11/86)
Sources Say Pathologists Examined Remains Of Challenger's Crew
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Pathologists Monday examined crew remains
recovered from Challenger's shattered cabin, sources reported.
Meanwhile the ocean search continued for more remains and debris such as
data tapes that might provide clues to the disaster.
Some remains and cabin wreckage were brought ashore secretly Saturday
night by the salvage ship Preserver.
In announcing Sunday that the cabin debris and remains had been located,
NASA did not say whether anything had been recovered.
The agency said it would respect family wishes and not comment again until
the operation was completed.
NASA spokesmen said nothing Monday. The Navy said the 213-foot Preserver
was at the scene where the cabin debris was found.
But the Navy declined to say whether divers were on the ocean floor.
Recovering cabin wreckage and body remains depends on weather and sea
conditions, NASA said, and could take days. The search area had wind up to 20
mph and 4-to-6-foot waves Monday.
Private boats and planes were barred from an area two miles around the
search site, which is about 18 miles northeast of the launch pad. Sections of
the cabin were found at a depth of 100 feet.
Five men and two women died in the fiery explosion on Jan. 28.
Data tapes that were in the cabin could shed light on the cause of the
explosion, but it was not known how well the tapes survived.
The sources did not know if remains of all seven had been located. They
said recovered body parts had been taken to a hospital at Patrick Air Force
Base, 25 miles south of here, where they were examined Monday by forensic
experts from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.
NASA said the announcement was delayed until families were notified.
Tony Smith, brother of pilot Mike Smith, said his family was told Friday
that searchers had found the crew compartment but that he knew nothing about
remains being found.
Bruce Jarvis, father of astronaut Gregory Jarvis, said he was relieved
that his son's remains had been found, but expressed frustration at having
learned of it from television.
NASA said its policy is to only inform the closest kin if there is an
accident, usually the spouses.