Air Safety
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Need to Double-Check Highlighted by Recent Events
When President Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but verify," it was uttered in the context of strategic nuclear arms control. But it also can be applied to aviation. Herewith, two examples: […]
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Damaged on Departure
Ground incidents place air safety at risk Setting aside failure to de-ice and engine failure on takeoff, aviation is replete with stories of aircraft damaged on the ground before departure […]
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Automation: Pilots As Machine-Minders Or As Professional Aviators?
In the Oct.-Nov. issue of The Log, the bimonthly publication of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), Capt. Malcolm Scott decries the growing role of automation in the cockpit. Perhaps […]
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Imperfect Pitch, Icing, Distraction Possible Causes of Citation V Crash
Spatial disorientation, in-cockpit distractions, and icing are all possible causes of the Dec. 20, 2001, crash of Eagle Air Ltd. flight EAB 220. The Cessna CE 560 Citation V took […]
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Monitor Can Help Point to Serious Electrical Problems
Smoke in the air conditioning system may be the biggest distractor from more serious problems in the aircraft electrical system. Therefore, if smoke in the air conditioning system can be […]
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Proposals for Improved Accident Reporting Trigger Negative Reactions
The most significant changes to accident reporting in years have generated mostly a negative reaction from the industry. The challenge to the proposer, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will […]
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Lessons Never Learnt
A twin with a history of fuel problems tricks yet another generation of pilots A modification to install fuel panel warning lights may need to be installed on all Convair […]
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A310 Loses Rudder, Prompts Fleetwide Inspections, Inquiry
An Air Transat A310 lost its rudder on March 6, prompting manufacturer Airbus to issue a directive calling for field inspections of rudders on both A310 and A300-600 models. About […]
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Special Conditions Issued for Boeing B747 Center Wing Tanks
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued "special conditions" for inerting the center fuel tank of Boeing [BA] B747 aircraft. Published in the Federal Register on Feb. 15, these add […]
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Fuselage Cracks, Poor Maintenance Cited in 2002 Rupture of B747
The Deadly Tail-Strike Strikes Again Above and beyond the aging of airframes and normal wear and tear on structural components, there are valid concerns with accumulated and hidden misrepaired damage. […]
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