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-3-, 1987 Alaska PRSA Aurora Award Category #8, PTS Iil. EXECUTION: The above plan was executed. Major events by date follow. (1986 ) Nov. Dec. Dec. 17? o4: 29: (1987) Jan. Jan. Jan. Feb. Feb. Mar. O4: 05: O08: 21: 25: » O13 - O4: O5* Incident occurs, crew met at airport, interviewed, voice and radar tapes retrieved and stored, material held, controllers interviewed. Kyodo News Service correspondent visits, additional research started, interview provided. UPI-Alaska Bureau chief calls, visits, interviews, release. Followed by intense media interest (see items #8,9, Section VII). In response to public interest the agency decides to re- interview flight crew, review data tapes, and obtain Washington D.C. and technical specialists reviews. Agency decision to cease releasing any new information until all material is collected and reviewed. Interim letters sent to FOIA requests informing them that material is being collected for response to their inquiry. Unauthorized interview with controller reveals their opinion and the fact that more than one controller was involved adding misinformation and creating impression of possible agency cover-up. Quick response by agency and Public Affairs Office shuts down unauthorized interviews. (Difficult to due in a Government agency where there is no formal repprimand for talking to media.) Continued to respond to numerous national and international media calls. Hundreds of mail inquires. All basic known materials collected. Order form created and sent to all media and public inquiries. The February 21 date was selected by backing up from the March 5, news release date, so that all FOIA requests for information based on the order form could be legally completed March 5th. (10 working days). All previously recorded news media sources (See item #8, Section VII) were notified by telephone of press conference set for March 5. Additional materials created by Public Affairs Office to assist in explaining complicated portion of data completed (See item #7, Section VII). New data sought after review by Public Affairs Office in anticipation of media questions. Preparation for press conference complete; visual aids, materials, special media index, ready. Agency conclusions complete. Press conference held. (Agenda: Handout material, allowed 20 minutes for reporters to study and review-aided by index and tabs, briefing, highlights, and question/answers.)