WASHINGTON The massive and unprecedented search for the cause of John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s aircraft crash comes as industry officials—even some in the National Transportation Safety Board— question whether the agency can afford to investigate general aviation accidents.

WASHINGTON The Pentagon is reconsidering its decision not to buy Lockheed Martin C-130J transport airplanes in the next two years, and that could help Lockheed Martin improve an earnings picture that has become bleak and resulted in a second quarter loss of $41 million.

WASHINGTON U.S. Air Force officials worry they won’t be able to retain their secondtier F-22 suppliers if the program is restructured and say the House move to slash program funds could force cancellation of the F-22, saddling the Pentagon with a $1-billion contract settlement fee.

DALLAS The downward trend in the total number of general aviation accidents in recent years is beginning to level off, and the fatal accident rate remains relatively static despite increased efforts by the industry to educate pilots about weather hazards, human factors and judgment.