Revisiting the British Airlines crash at Heathrow

I've read several accounts now about this landing. Some suspect a flock of birds hit the plane, some say it may have run out of fuel. The pilot said the electronics failed and in another interview said the plane just stopped operating.

Here's my take on this. Modern aircraft electronics don't "fail". There is so much fucking redundancy built in its as close to impossible as humans can make it.

The pilot would have reported bird strikes. Out of fuel is possible, but airlines are pretty damn good at making sure that doesn't happen.

Look for a maintenance problem. In trying to cope with rising costs, its likely most airlines are getting rid of maintenance personnel and are starting with the oldest (read expensive) and most experienced people.

Hey, I could be completely wrong about this, as if I've never been wrong before, but let's just check back on this in a month or so.

Via CNN.

Investigation begins into Heathrow crash landing

The undercarriage from a British Airways
Boeing 777 plane flying from China that
landed short of the runway is seen at
London's Heathrow Airport,
Thursday Jan. 17, 2008.
Credit and praise are due the airliner's staff. That only one person spent the night in hospital and none died is truly remarkable.

Put another way, you don't land a Boeing 777 on grass. It just ain't designed for that.

An investigation was underway Friday into how a jet crash landed short of the runway at London Heathrow, injuring 18 people and cancelling more than 200 flights at the world's busiest international airport.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the British Airways airliner's staff and pilot, who drew particular praise throughout Friday morning's British press, for his efforts in landing the plane.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said an initial report on Thursday's crash would be available within 48 hours, but Chief Inspector of Air Accidents David King warned that it could take more than a month for the full report to be produced.

All those on board the plane from Beijing will be questioned by the AAIB, and the airliner's "black box" and cockpit voice recorders will also be checked.

Brown, speaking to reporters after landing in Beijing on a diplomatic visit, said it was "right to pay tribute to the calmness and professionalism of the British Airways staff and the captain and what he achieved in landing the plane."

Via AFP.

Up, up, and away, fat chance

First off I'm not proud, but I stole this whole fucking post from Ted Compton.

This is mind bloggering boggling. Its an impossible situation.

Is the Bush administration involved? Oh yeah, I thought so.

So after a note on air transport congestion yesterday and some conversation about it at dinner last night I checked this morning, on a whim, the departure board at O'Hare. It listed 28 departures at 8:00AM, with another 13 within five minutes after 8:00. I've spent a lot of time at O'Hare over the years and I know they're pretty good at what they do, but no way are they going to get 41 flights off the ground in five minutes - especially when they have 26 flights scheduled to arrive within the same span of time.

So pack a few good books on your iPod, Bunky, it's gonna be a while.

My comment.

I did a quick search of O'hare runways. It appears they have 5, but 4 cross each other and one is too close to be used if the others are already in use.

Now, add to that the fact every airport I've ever been in, and its been many, gives priority to incoming traffic (logical); I'd say ya better pack a couple meals at least.

For some reason "Its a Small World" comes to mind.

Oh yeah, if you are expecting a baby soon you might consider naming it Tarmac.

Via 76003.1414.