PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 1997

JPL EMPLOYEE CRITICALLY BURNED IN CRASH

      Jordan A. Kaplan, a member of JPL's technical staff, was critically burned in a crash of his airplane in Pacoima on Saturday, March 15.

      Kaplan is a mechanical engineer currently working on NASA's Cassini spacecraft scheduled to be launched on a mission to Saturn this fall.

      Kaplan joined JPL in 1991. He was awarded an MS in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1990 and a BS in mechanical engineering from Tufts University in 1986.

      Kaplan is also a violinist and performs with the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra.

      He is hospitalized at the Sherman Oaks Hospital Grossman Burn Center, 4929 Van Nuys Bl., Sherman Oaks. Blood Donors who wish to give in Kaplan's name may make appointments with the American Red Cross Blood Services at 1-800-448-3543.

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3/17/97 MBM