WASHINGTON, D.C. : U.S. to Ban Oxygen Generators as Cargo

The government has decided to ban passenger airlines from shipping oxygen generators, suspected in the crash of a ValuJet airliner in the Everglades, U.S. officials said. The ban by the Transportation Department will last until at least the end of the year pending a determination on whether such cargo “poses a safety hazard,” said an official who asked not to be identified. The Federal Aviation Administration will notify airlines of the ban, which will take effect immediately, officials said. Investigators are trying to determine if oxygen generators and aircraft wheels in the forward cargo hold of the crashed ValuJet DC-9 could have set off a fire.