EgyptAir Flight's Autopilot Disengaged Before Descent, Preliminary Data Show.

Reports that EgyptAir Flight 990's automatic pilot became disconnected before the plane's initial controlled descent on its October 31, 1999 crash, according to preliminary findings. United States National Transportation Safety Board's early reading of the plane's flight data recorder; Investigation on the plane's fatal crash near Nantucket Island, Massachusetts; Possible problem areas with the flight.