"It was never intended for tight turns," said Mr. McCabe, a lawyer who represents airlines involved in plane crashes.

The Air Transport Association, which represents major airlines, echoed the concerns and questions raised by Secretary Pena during today's hearing.

The Air Transport Association, which represents major airlines, said it would also review the report closely.

The announcement brought strong criticism from the Air Transport Association, representing American airlines, which said it was considering a court challenge.

Brokers representing the power generators, airlines, truck fleet operators, chemical companies and even supermarkets were on tenterhooks.

The Association, which represents small regional airlines, says that discouraging people from using internal air travel would be counter-productive, because most travellers would go by road instead.

The recommendations made public today by the Air Transport Association, which represents most domestic airlines.

Officials at the Air Transport Association, which represents domestic airlines, did not return calls seeking comment.

"Florida is a tough jurisdiction for defendants in a wrongful death case," said a lawyer who often represents airlines in such cases.

He represented several airlines and was involved in the development of government regulation of the industry.