Delta Airlines flight DL-1606 had to return for an emergency landing in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 20th.
The Airbus A319-100 plane took off for Austin, Texas, but had to return shortly afterwards after a bird strike caused damage to one of the engines.
The plane landed safely. There were 120 people aboard at the time; all of them remained unharmed.
Here’s the question: do pilots rely too much on automation? This question has been on my mind since hearing the parallels between the UPS Cargo jet crash and the Asiana passenger jet crash. This is on my mind not only as one who works toward aviation safety but also as a very frequent flyer. You can only imagine how my work carries me into international situations. I don’t fly as frequently as a pilot, but sometimes I fly internationally several times a month. I am on these planes frequently. I rely on them.
So I find it disturbing that the NTSB’s hearing Thursday revealed parallels between the crash of UPS Flight 1354 and Asiana Filght 214. While I don’t know the answers, I can only hope the investigation shines light on ways to deal with this problem. What is the solution? Less reliance on Automation? Better training for pilots?
On the other side of the coin, some parties will want even more automation, but I am reluctant to go in that direction. The idea of even more reliance on automation is anathema to me because the engineers and advocates of reliance on even more automation will not be on those even-more automated planes. While the technology and/or training will be on the chopping block, their actual necks won’t be.
What I don’t find disturbing is the professionalism of the hearings. The webcast is well worth watching.
The hearing webcast is recorded here: http://ntsb.capitolconnection.org/022014/ntsb_archive_flv.htm
Note the NTSB cautions participants in the hearing not to engage the media and to stick to the facts.
Or the recorded captions (unformatted) are here.
https://airflightdisaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/ntsb022014.htm.pdf
bio docket: https://airflightdisaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/biodocket.pdf
What: Aeroflot Airbus A320 en route from Moscow to Krasnodar
Where: Krasnodar International Airport, Russia
When: Oct 29. 2012
Who: 110 aboard
Why: After there was smoke in the cabin, the crew decided to land because there was smoke in the cockpit. The cause of the smoke was due to an electrical short circuit.
The pilots made an emergency landing at Krasnodar International Airport. There were no injuries.
Alaska Airlines flight 769 made an emergency landing at Denver International Airport, Colorado, on February 9th.
The plane, heading from Logan International Airport, Massachusetts, to San Diego International Airport, California, was diverted after a drunk male passenger became aggressive and threatened the crew and other passengers.
The plane landed safely. The police officers escorted the man out of the plane.
The plane resumed the flight after a 45-minute delay.
American Airlines flight AA-2793 suffered a bird strike on the way to Denver, Colorado, on August 27th.
The incident happened when the plane flying from Miami, Florida, was on final approach to Denver.
The plane continued for safe landing. All passengers and crew members remained unharmed.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Lino Borges
What: SATA International Airbus A310-300 en route from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada
Where: Ponta Delgada, Portugal
When: Nov 6th 2009
Who: not available
Why: The Airbus had a normal flight but a hard landing at Ponta Delgada. Passengers debarked and took an alternative Airbus to the final (Boston) leg of the trip.
A small plane made an emergency landing in a field near Dog Creek Road off Highway 221 in Ashe County, North Carolina, on November 13.
The single-engine Cirrus SR22 plane, carrying 2 people, was en-route from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Georgia, to Lancaster, when it lost power, forcing the pilot to land in a field.
The plane landed uneventfully. Both people aboard remained unhurt.
