Air Crash Investigation of General Aviation Aircraft: With Emphasis on the Crash Scene Aspects of the Investigation

Book Description

On March 27, 1977, 583 people died when KLM and Pan Am 747s collided on a crowded, foggy runway in Tenerife, the Canary Islands. The cause, a miscommunication between the pilot and the air traffic controller. The pilot radioed, "We are now at takeoff," meaning that the plane was lifting off, but the tower controller misunderstood and thought the plane was waiting on the runway.

In Fatal Words, Steven Cushing explains how miscommunication has led to dozens of aircraft disasters, and he proposes innovative solutions for preventing them. He examines ambiguities in language when aviation jargon and colloquial English are mixed, when a word is used that has different meanings, and when different words are used that sound alike. To remedy these problems, Cushing proposes a visual communication system and a computerized voice mechanism to help clear up confusing language.

Fatal Words is an accessible explanation of some of the most notorious aircraft tragedies of our time, and it will appeal to scholars in communications, linguistics, and cognitive science, to aviation experts, and to general readers.

Customer Reviews:

For Linguists, Pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers Only.......2004-04-03

"Fatal Words" is a totally unique book, and it is impossible to pigeonhole. Is it a book on transformational grammar for linguists? Is it a book of miscommunications, and the resultant impact on aviation safety? Is it a book on computer programming? Actually, it's all three. I bought the book to read from an air safety standpoint, given that I am an airline pilot. I found the book very interesting but very tough reading in parts, and occasionally a bit unfocused. The book is in three parts, plus a very long technical appendix. The first part concerns itself with language use, and includes many examples from not only NTSB Accident Reports, but from ASRS 'Callback' (published by NASA) that were from incidents. Although I generally agree on all his points and would highly encourage all pilots and Air Traffic Controllers to heed his warnings (and to examine their speech for potential errors of the types Dr. Cushing points out) there are a couple of minor exceptions I take to statements he makes or assumptions he has about pilot-controller language use, particularly in reference to the word "hold" in the Air California gear up landing accident. Overall, though, it is a brilliant analysis. Part two is similar to part one in that it focuses on communication problems not related to language (numbers, radios, etc.). Both parts one and two are four chapters long per part. The analysis in part two is my favorite part of the book, and relates issues such as transposed digits, limitations of radios, the 10 versus 11 problem so common in altitude violations, etc. This is the part that has unparalleled insight into pilot-controller communications interactions and the foibles that can result. Every pilot and controller should read part two.

Part three deals with proposed solutions to the problem, and in this section he details a machine that can interpret language, check grammar, sentence structure, and meaning before allowing a message to be transmitted. He admits that this is a long time in the future, and proposes a short term data link system. I realize the machine he developed, while excellent research, is a prototype, but with all respect to the efforts of Dr. Cushing and his graduate students, I feel he may be barking up the wrong tree. The constructs of the machine are so complex, and the commands and menu options he envisions are so unwieldy that I can't imagine a machine that checks grammar and content of every transmission, and won't (at least to my understanding) let any non-database words pass its parser, being fast enough to keep up with the Air Traffic Control needs of Jackson, MS, much less LaGuardia at five in the afternoon. I am absolutely not closed minded on this subject, and am a huge proponent of CPDLC, which was in testing by American Airlines and Miami Center last year. I would love to see a revised edition of the book (it was published in 1994) with the latest technology added and the computer programs he developed to be updated and possibly integrated with CPDLC. The appendix is a very detailed (excruciating to a non-computer programmer) explanation of the constructs of his lab test system containing two computers that could converse with each other via the data link system and menus he developed. I read it, but only marginally grasped the material. The appendix information is best ignored by pilots and controllers, although it is probably very insightful to programmers and linguists.

Overall it is the best book I have seen on the role of communications in aviation accidents, and I give it four stars for two reasons only: one, it diverges into a computer programming book in the last third of the text, which I had not expected given the summaries of the work I had read; and two, Dr. Cushing numbers every line of transcript throughout the book and then makes reference to that numbered line in the discussion. This is fine when the discussion is near the quotation, but often he refers to a line number that you read about fifty pages earlier instead of reprinting the quotation which makes the reader fumble back and forth looking for the line in question. This is an excellent work overall, just understand that it is technical reading and requires a basic understanding of 'aviation English' and grammar to fully comprehend the author's discussions and analyses. I eagerly look forward to reading more by Dr. Cushing in the future.

EVERY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHOULD READ THIS.......2001-10-14

In Fatal Words, Cushing describes the many ways flights can be placed in jeopardy through ambiguities of the English language. He cites real examples from around the world. A pilot told one thing may well interpret it to mean another. The cases included are quite interesting. Every air traffic controller should read it. I am not sure how to rate this book, though, because it is intended more for computer scientists and specialists than for readers like myself. The conclusions he draws and the solutions he offers must be analyzed by others with more knowledge of the subject. Readers looking for specific information on air disasters, though, should look elsewhere.

Too technical for me.......2001-08-14

I'm sure this book is great, but it's above my head. It's too technical. I couldn't get through it, so I re-sold it on eBay to a military air traffic controller who seemed to like it.

Good Insight.......2000-04-02

This book provides very good insight into the flaws that surround the communication systems used for air traffic control sometimes aggrevated by pilots and controllers not abiding by strict aviation terminology. Also highlights errors due to language barrier difficulties between pilots and air traffic controllers. Very good entertainment and educational material for those interested in the subject! I have read this book before from a friend and ordering it from amazon to read again and keep!

Average customer rating:

One of the best books on air crash investigation
Excellent Account Of The 737 Rudder Accidents And Issues
Clear and concise account
Enjoyable but technical
Good, but lacking

Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster
Gerry Byrne
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Engineering | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

History | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Professional & Technical | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Science | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Accessories:

ASIN: 038795256X

Book Description

Boeing's 737 is indisputably the most popular and arguably the safest commercial airliner in the world. But the plane had a lethal flaw, and only after several disastrous crashes and years of painstaking investigation was the mystery of its rudder failure solved. This book tells the story of how engineers and scientists finally uncovered the defect that had been engineered into the plane.

Customer Reviews:

One of the best books on air crash investigation.......2005-09-06

The 737's rudder design defect brought to the fore.

This book is a perfect combination of story telling and technical analysis. It's thoroughly researched, technical information is accurate, the narrative is comprehensive as well as comprehensible. I do have to admit the point made about the lack of diagrams is valid. I had to look elsewhere for illustrations to guide me along the way. Other than that though, Flight 427 is one of the best books on air crash investigation around. Don't miss it if you are even remotely interested in aviation.

Excellent Account Of The 737 Rudder Accidents And Issues.......2005-08-23

"Flight 427" is a book that Gerry Byrne can be rightfully proud of. I have been interested in this subject for many years now both as an airline pilot (I flew the 737 for almost two years, and must in all candor say that it was my least favorite of the nine different airliner types that I have flown; In all fairness to Boeing, many of my colleagues seem to really enjoy flying the 737, but after my personal experience with the plane, I still can't understand why) and a student (I wrote my Master's thesis on a quantitative systems safety comparison of 737 and A-320 primary flight control systems.) Of the two books on the market which focus on USAir flight 427 (the other, by Bill Adair, is also excellent) I give this one the slight edge for the average reader or the person most interested in how the NTSB "Party System" functions at a major aviation accident.

Byrne carefully weaves the story of flight 427 in with the earlier United 585 accident (same cause) and the later Eastwind 517 incident (also the same cause) skillfully and with generally quite good technical accuracy (there are a couple of very minor technical errors, but they are inconsequential and would not be noticed by most people.) What I really appreciate about the book is Byrne's breadth of sources in reporting on not only well known and understood matters, but also on very obscure, but important background information like all the early Frontier 737 rudder malfunctions, which few are familiar with.

The real story here is of the frustrating experience of investigating such a complex and politically charged investigation. There is no question that Boeing comes off looking bad by the end of the book, and I have to admit, deservedly so.

The only weakness in the book is the total lack of illustrations. This is a topic that could really use illustrations, particularly when Byrne starts discussing things like the interior functions of the dual-concentric servo valve, which was ultimately the problem here.

This is a great book, and I highly recommend it.

Clear and concise account.......2004-04-27

The author Gerry Byrne ought to be proud of this book. The book starts off with the crash of United flight 585 in Colorado Springs, another Boeing 737 aircraft that mysteriously flipped over and crashed while trying to land. The investigation of the United accident opened the door to a possible design problem with the rudder on the 737 airplane. The book then covers the US Air flight 427 accident that crashed in a way very similar to United 585. I couldn't put this book down. Even though this book is non-fiction and at times very technical it is written in a way that is comfortable to read and you really understand the detail in context with what is very complex story. There is one point in the book where Gerry describes a rudder test conducted at Boeing on a rainy night where an engineer finally is able to reproduce a rudder reversal problem which was suspected by the NTSB for a long time. In context with the story this was a point where you really breath a sigh of releif... But even than the story the investigation takes more unsuspected turns. Great book.

Enjoyable but technical.......2003-06-10

I would have preferred to have had some pictures/diagrams to help explain the more detailed technical aspects of the book. However overall an enjoyable and interesting book.

Good, but lacking.......2003-01-01

I agree with the other reviews of this book in that the author does a great job of keeping you interested and making it entertaining. However, I feel that book would have been greatly enhanced with the addition of some technical drawings or illustrations. The descriptions get somewhat complicated at times, and a diagram or two would ensure clear understanding. If you aren't interested in the details, then as it is written should be fine, but if you want to understand completly, diagrams are required. I also think the text jumps around quite a bit in time, not following a strictly linear timeline. While this makes for easier reading in following specific tangents and topics, it clouds the overall understanding of what is going on... I have read many crash investigation books, and this one does a credible job of mixing storytelling with technical explanations.

The Mystery of Flight 427: Inside a Crash Investigation

Average customer rating:

Good Book, But...
Well done
28 Seconds
A Real "What Done-It"
Exceptionally well done. Adair covered it all!

The Mystery of Flight 427: Inside a Crash Investigation
ADAIR B
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Conspiracy Theories | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

War & Peace | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Consumer Guides | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1588340058

Book Description

The immediate human toll of this 1994 disaster was staggering: all 132 people aboard died on a Pennsylvania hillside. The subsequent investigation was a maze of politics, bizarre theories, and shrouded answers. Bill Adair, an award-winning journalist, was granted special access to the five-year inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) while its investigators tried to determine if the world's most widely used commercial jet, the Boeing 737, was really safe.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book, But..........2006-09-02

The Book itself was very good and it kept my attention throughout. One of the main characters in the book, however, the husband of a victim, was made to be, in my opinion, too much a part of the story. The book often mentioned how he stayed away from the other grieving families, preferring to remain in the background, yet he seemed to have plenty to say when it came to getting his story told in this book. It was continually stated that he was not "in it for the money" (referring to the lawsuit he filed, etc), yet that seemed to be exactly what he was in it for. It was as if his wife's life was the most important one on the plane and none of the other victims mattered. There should have been other families stories in the book, along with his, or his should have been left out. His story was not really needed, and it didn't really add anything to the book.

Besides that, this was a great book and I would recommend it. It sheds a great deal of light on the complex job of the accident investigators and should give most readers a reason to doubt the so-called "cause of the day" that the news media puts out and changes with every new twist.

Well done.......2006-03-26

This is a wonderful book that reads like fiction, which is the ultimate sign of masterful non-fiction. Adair does a great job of weaving in the personalities and conflicting agendas involved in the crash investigation. The topic might sound a bit dry for the average reader, but Adair puts together an informative yet quick-paced account of what went on behind the scenes.

28 Seconds.......2005-03-26

I have always been interested in aircraft crashes, or more accurately the investigation into what caused them, thus I have read a number of books on the topic. This book is one of the better ones I have read. The author gives the reader a very enjoyable and interesting to read account of the accident and investigation. He also highlights one of the accident victims surviving spouse, which gives the reader an insight not normally covered in this type of book. I do not think the author could have covered the story in any other angel unless he would have been able to become a fly on the wall at either USAir or Boeing.

The book covers all the staples of this type of non fiction read, we have the pre-crash detail of the crew, aircraft and some passengers, the very compelling description of the crash its self and the post crash start to the investigation. No matter how many of these books I read I never get accustomed to the rather scary chance that everyday life can turn upside down in the blink of an eye. From the start of the incident to crash it took 28 seconds, the drama packed into those seconds is detailed in this book, at least from the perspective of the voice cockpit recordings. The author also does a good job of describing how a NTSB investigator conducts an investigation. The work that these people do is not well known which is too bad given the advances in safety they have been responsible for.

Probably the most under reported aspect of this crash investigation, and probably something that takes place with most accidents where the cause is not immediately known, is just how much lobbying the airline, aircraft manufacture and pilots union do to the NTSB. All three of these organizations were pushing for their versions of the story regardless of what the facts were showing them. As you can probably guess their versions of the cause all directed the blame for their respective companies or members. It left a rather bad taste in my mouth given that the goal of the NTSB is to find the cause of accidents so they can be eliminated. Overall I really enjoyed the book. It was very interesting and well written. If you enjoy this type of book then you will devour this one. It is just simply one of the best books of this type that I have ever read. If you are looking for other books of this type I would suggest "Nine Minutes, Twenty Seconds: The Tragedy & Triumph of ASA Flight 529".

A Real "What Done-It".......2005-03-02

A detailed and inside look at the mysterious crash of a 737-300 airliner which killed everyone aboard. The investigation goes from crash day until the final report was issued about 4 years later. What is fascinating about this account is how much investigators can learn from the twisted wreakage of a major airplane crash. Each and every cause, including those which are far-fetched, are painstakingly reviewed and eliminated until there were no plausible explanation left. It was almost a fluke which finally solved the crash. The investigators themselves are interesting if not flawed characters who go about their job with different agendas. For example, the representative from the pilots union has a completely different take on the reasons for the accident than does the Boeing rep. How they finally come to the conclusion in spite of the acrimony and fighting is a testament to the truth. Airline crashes are investigated using the team method. This type of investigation is seriously questioned by the author, however, it has resulted in solving just about all (except 3 by books end), airline accidents since the NTSB was founded in the mid-60's. Be warned, however, don't read this book if you are at all squemish about flying. It is frightening indeed that so many things can happen in the air and you get a sense that most of them have yet to be discovered. A real page-turner.

Exceptionally well done. Adair covered it all!.......2004-10-02

As an avaition "fan" of more than 40-years, one of the things I've always had an interest in is why airplanes crash. Bill Adair does an admirable job of detailing all that goes into the behind the scenes "detective work" that brings the NTSB to it's "probable cause" findings. He also gives a compassionate glimpse into what friends and relatives go through after the loss of someone close in such a tragic event. The Mystery of Flight 427 is a "must read" that I could not put down.

Falling Stars: Air Crashes that Filled Rock & Roll Heaven

Average customer rating:

interesting subject
Slightly Enlightening
Fantastically Gripping
Spell binding
Everitt Rock and Roll Heaven Review

Falling Stars: Air Crashes that Filled Rock & Roll Heaven
Rich Everitt
Manufacturer: Harbor House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1891799045

Book Description

This book examines the remarkable lives of the celebrities that died in tragic airplane crashes.

Customer Reviews:

interesting subject.......2006-06-10

I thought this book was interesting and it helped to answer some questions. The book could have been longer and it did seem like a fast creation by the author. Also the author did not need to provide information regarding the extent of the injuries that were suffered by its music stars. Common sense will tell you that the injuries of any passenger in a light weight aircraft crash can be horrific. With all of that said, I would still give this book a good rating.

Anyone interested in this topic would certainly find this book interesting.

Music's Broken Wings by Heitman also covers this topic. The Ricky Nelson crash is covered in great detail. That book is larger and does a better job of sparing the reader from the upsetting information.

Both are interesting reading material.

Slightly Enlightening.......2005-10-14

I was disappointed in the lack of content in this book. While I was slightly enlightened with what appear to be some interesting facts, I believe there could have been much more information, resulting in a much thicker book. I finished this in two quick sittings (about a 3.5 hour read). This was a rush job, without a lot of commitment to research. The last few artists barely get a mention. Randy Rhodes, the guitarist that resurrected Ozzy Ozborne's career gets 1.5 pages??

Fantastically Gripping.......2004-12-31

This book takes you into the airplane or helicopter of some of music's most beloved stars on the trips that ended in their death. From Buddy Holly to Aaliyah, you are put in the scene by the very talented author Rich Everitt, and then taken up to the very second of their death. During the story of the last days, there is a flashback through the life of the star ending on the day they die. Another fascinating aspect of this book is how every chapter ends with "Ironies and Oddities". A very interesting list of factoids about the star and any ironic circumstances involving their crash. I loved this book! It truly has something for everyone, the music buff, the amateur or professional pilot, and anyone who just loves to be on the edge of their seat.

Spell binding.......2004-11-03

A friend recommended the book and I was skeptical at first, knowing nothing about flying airplanes. HOWEVER, the stories of the musicians were terrific and the reports of what actually happened in the crash were riveting. My husband and I shared the book back and forth for three days before we finally read it cover to cover between us.

Everitt Rock and Roll Heaven Review.......2004-10-13

I loved getting the real story from a news anchor. The fact that the author was reporting the inaccuracy of first reports made the material especially interesting. I would highly recommend the book to any rock/country fan, especially those who find facts about their favorite performers of interest. I am purchasing for Christmas presents.

The Plane Truth: Airline Crashes, the Media, and Transportation Policy

Average customer rating:

Did You Pack Your Own Bags

The Plane Truth: Airline Crashes, the Media, and Transportation Policy
Roger W. Cobb , and David M. Primo
Manufacturer: Brookings Institution Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Disaster Relief | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Public Policy | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Federal Government | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Media Studies | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0815771991

Book Description

Flying is an extremely safe way to travel. Fewer than 14,000 individuals perished in U.S. airline disasters during the twentieth century. In contrast, nearly three times as many people lose their lives in automobile accidents every year.

Yet plane crashes have a tremendous impact on public perceptions of air safety in the United States. When a crash occurs domestically, media coverage is immediate and continuous. Government teams rush to investigate, elected officials offer condolences and promise to find the cause, and airlines and plane manufacturers seek to avoid responsibility. Regulations are frequently proposed in response to a particular incident, but meaningful change often does not occur.

In The Plane Truth, Roger Cobb and David Primo examine the impact of high-visibility plane crashes on airline transportation policy. Regulation is disjointed and reactive, in part due to extensive media coverage of airline disasters. The authors describe the typical responses of various players—elected officials, investigative agencies, airlines, and the media. While all agree that safety is the primary concern in air travel, failure to agree on a definition of safety leads to policy conflicts.

Looking at all airline crashes in the 1990s, the authors examine how particular features of an accident correspond to the level of media attention it receives, as well as how airline disasters affect subsequent actions by the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, and others. Three accidents are considered in detail: USAir flight 427 (September 1994), ValuJet flight 592 (May 1996), and TWA flight 800 (July 1996). The authors also discuss how the September 11 terrorist attacks turned attention away from safety and toward security.

Cobb and Primo make several policy recommendations based on their findings. These include calling on lawmakers and regulators to avoid reactive regulation and instead to focus on systematic problems in airline safety, like the antiquated air traffic control system. Concerned that aviation security is eclipsing aviation safety in the wake of September 11, they encourage federal agencies to strike a better balance between the two. Finally, in order to address the FAA's poor track record in balancing airline safety regulation with its other duties, they recommend the creation of a new federal agency that is responsible for aviation safety.

This book provides a framework for understanding conflicts about the meaning of air safety and the implications of these battles for public policy.

Customer Reviews:

Did You Pack Your Own Bags .......2005-07-02

I have never been able to explain why I am so interested in aircraft accidents. Whatever the reason, I have read a fair number of books describing both accidents and investigations and this is the first book I have ever come across that takes a look at the effect of high profile accidents on the rules around the airline industry. To be fair, this book does not pack the dramatic punch of a book that is covering just an accident. It does do a good job of looking at accidents and their effect on public policy.

The findings of the authors were a bit surprising for me given that they show that most of what is done in the way of new regulations is reactionary and limited in effectiveness. I guess it should not be a surprise that politicians would gravitate to high profile events and then try to capture some votes via mindless grandstanding and marginally effect legislation. Overall I found the book interesting and somewhat eye opening. It paints a rather negative view of the FAA, which I had not seen is such a blunt fashion before. It is a bit dry in spots and the authors found it difficult to keep sections detailing government regulation moving at a good pace. If you are interested in the aircraft industry then I think you will find this book enjoyable.

Deadly Departure: Why the Experts Failed to Prevent the TWA Flight 800 Disaster and How It Could Happen Again

Average customer rating:

THE US NAVY DID IT
Strong Medicine!
Good Overall Picture of the Event
AirlineBiz.Com Book Review
The friendly skies?

Deadly Departure: Why the Experts Failed to Prevent the TWA Flight 800 Disaster and How It Could Happen Again
Christine Negroni
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Aeronautics & Astronautics | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060194774

Amazon.com

Though it can be classified as airplane reading, you may not want to bring Deadly Departure with you on your next flight. In this gripping story of the investigation of the crash of TWA Flight 800, aviation correspondent Christine Negroni guides the reader through the intricacies of the U.S. government's most expensive crash investigation to date. Personal stories of passengers, their families, crash investigators, rescue workers, conspiracy theorists, and employees of Boeing and TWA underpin Negroni's account of the investigation as a catalog of conflict, incompetence, and deceit. She concludes that, contrary to the claims of aircraft manufacturers, fuel tank explosions are a real danger, but one that lies within the range of acceptable risk for both the industry and the Federal Aviation Authority.

If there was a conspiracy to hide the truth about what really happened to Flight 800, it began long before the crash, and it wasn't an effort to cover up action, it was a conspiracy of inaction. Although the newspapers were filled with experts insisting planes don't just fall out of the sky and fuel tank explosions can't bring down an airplane, insiders knew different.

If you have followed the strange and sad saga of TWA 800's mysterious end and its aftermath, Negroni's book is for you. --Julia Riches

Book Description

The investigation into the crash of TWA Flight 800 was the most expensive and extensive aviation-disaster probe in history: Millions of dollars were spent, thousands of experts were consulted, and hundreds of pieces of aircraft wreckage were painstakingly reconstructed in an effort to determine what happened.

Yet, in this shocking exposé, journalist Christine Negroni reveals that the tragedy could have been prevented had government regulators and aircraft manufacturers acted on a known design flaw that had contributed to more than a dozen similar catastrophes in the three decades leading up to the crash of Flight 800.

Writing with exceptional clarity, weaving together vivid personal stories and drawing from extensive research, Christine Negroni presents this compelling account of a disaster that didn't have to happen.

Customer Reviews:

THE US NAVY DID IT .......2006-03-13

TGHE UNITED STATES NAVY DID IN FACT SHOOT DOWN TWA FLIGHT 800 BY NAVY SHIP AND FIRED 2 MISSILES AND THAT SHIP THE FLEED THE SCENE AT 30 KNOTS RATHER THAN SEARCH AND RESCUE AND THAT SHIP WAS NEVER FOUND OR AND NAVY PERSONNEL HAD EVERYTHING TO DO WITH FLIGHT 800 CRASH

Strong Medicine!.......2002-07-20

It's strange how many "unhelpful " internal amazon votes "Deadly Departure" has generated. I'm attributing that to the reality that the subject matter, the investigation and aftermath of TWA Flight #800, is so highly emotional. We amazon types obviously care about how our peers rate DD. Give author Negroni credit: She attempted to get her arms around a challenging, difficult and technical story. 4 stories are interspersed: There are vignettes of various passengers and crew. Then there are the fringe personalities-Governor Pataki, Rudy Giuliani, George Marlin (remember HIM?) and folks of that ilk-each with an "agenda". She writes of the unfortunate bureaucratic fighting and turf protecting among such agencies as the FBI and National Transportation Safety Board. And finally she covers the technical aspects-especially the role of a potentially lethal empty center fuel tank on a 747. I give the author "A" for effort in attempting to tie so many ends together; all in a brief, large print 237-page hardcover tale. I would have decidedly preferred it if she had concentrated more on the ongoing investigations and technical aspects of the disaster. That's because the personal stories require space and a longer plot. Given the hideously serious nature of the crash, more light should be shed upon 1) the documented dangers of the fuel tanks-the military took corrective action concerning them that the cowardly Federal Aviation Administration has not for civil planes. 2) The hostile role of the FBI and its' refusal to cooperate with the NTSB. Thank God lead agent James Kallstrom has retired. 3) The future: the FAA must simply stop the practice of "counting tombstones". The idea that "it's better to have an occasional crash than pay for expensive safety changes" is disgraceful and immoral. True enough, DD touches on these but loses them in the broad brush of a wider "human interest" tale. That said, DD remains an important and serious book, but these problems merit the subtraction of one star. It actually made me lose two nights sleep! I will definitely feel more nervous the next time I fly because I've been reminded that the bureaucrats at the FAA are watching the backs of the aviation industry, not mine or yours. It is strong medicine and I recommend a dose. DD touches sensitive nerves. More power to it!

Good Overall Picture of the Event.......2002-04-05

I think the author did a good job in the overall coverage of he accident. I would have liked a bit more in-depth review of the whole government shoot down theory. The reader is provided with a some good information about who was on the flight and the explosion. The book reads fast, but like main disaster books tends to slow down toward the end...

AirlineBiz.Com Book Review.......2001-11-06

Christine Negroni does a great job following the events of TWA 800. A must read!

The friendly skies?.......2001-07-19

When TWA flight 800 exploded shortly after takeoff on July 17, 1996, the immediate speculation centered around a terrorist attack. This premature conclusion was based on some eyewitness accounts and political circumstances that fomented such speculation. Christine, though, shows how careful examination of the wreckage has shown, almost conclusively, that the airliner was brought down not by a terrorist bomb or missile, but by an explosion in the nearly empty center wing tank.

Christine writes her book in the style of an investigative reporter, with windows into the lives of many of the people connected with this tragedy. You come to know many of the victims, the crew, and investigators as she threads her way through the tangled story.

Having a somewhat technical background, I found myself frequently wishing the author had included more engineering detail in her narrative. I think the average reader, however, will find the level about right - especially those who tend to focus more on the human element than the engineering issues.

Christine's main thesis is that an explosion in the nearly empty center fuel tank brought down the jetliner, that Boeing and the FAA had reason to know a design defect could cause such an explosion, that they chose economy over saving people's lives, and that it's bound to happen again.

The first of these claims has been born out and accepted by the scientific investigation of the crash. Having exhausted all the other possibilities (including missiles and bombs) the investigators have concluded with high probability that the explosion resulted from faulty wiring and a volatile mixture of fumes and air in the center wing tank. The second claim also seems to be established. Flight 800 was not the first explosion of a fuel tank, and the volatile properties of the gaseous mix in a hot, nearly empty fuel tank were known. In fact, Boeing took extraordinary precautions to prevent an ignition source within the tank precisely to avoid such an explosion. I think it's also fair to say that the design decisions were largely based on economics, and not strictly on making the planes as safe as possible for the flying public. Christine illustrates how fuel inerting systems exist, and how they are used on military aircraft to prevent fires. I'm not sure Christine fully establishes her fourth claim - that it could happen again. Of course, nothing is perfectly safe, so there is always a finite probability that another explosion will occur. But it's not clear that preventing ignition sources by design and proper maintenance (there is strong evidence that old wiring was the ignition source on flight 800) is inherently less sure than inerting systems.

I think Christine should also have spent more time developing her argument about designing for safety instead of economy. She seems indignant at the prospects of economic equations that allow for a certain percentage of fatalities before spending money on a cure. Yet we all make these decisions each day. Pedestrians in New York City, for example, hardly ever wear bicycle helmets, even though a certain percentage of pedestrian deaths would be eliminated if everyone wore head protection. Somewhere, in the back of our minds, each of us decides that somehow the risk of death is insufficient to encumber us with the cost and inconvenience of wrapping our head in plastic-shrouded Styrofoam. Similarly the existence of cost-benefit economic equations that allow for a certain possibility of mid-air explosions is not, in and of itself, immoral. The real issues are quantitative: What are the probabilities? What value do they assign to human life? What are the costs?

Unfortunately, Christine does not deal with the question quantitatively, which is my only real complaint about this book. As I said, however, I don't think Christine intended to write to an audience of aeronautical engineers. As popular science I think she's written a fine book. I certainly found it entertaining. I read the entire thing on a flight from Portland to Boston (well, I had about 50 pages to finish when I got to my hotel). It's one of those books that grips you. One you can hardly put down. And, yes, every once in a while, as I read the book at 37,000 feet, I found myself wishing that Boeing had used fuel inerting.

Average customer rating:

WORTH A QUICK LOOK

Plane Crashes: An Illustrated History of Great Air Disasters
Beryl Frank
Manufacturer: Outlet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Transportation | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0517334259

Customer Reviews:

WORTH A QUICK LOOK.......2005-06-09

This book begins with the R-101 dirigible disaster of 1930 and ends with the 1980 US olympic team boxing accident in Poland. It covers most of the principle accidents from these fifty years. Don't expect to learn much, though, as each chapter is only a few sentences long and the information given is often misleading or flatly incorrect. The illustrations are decent, however, and worth checking out.

Why Airplanes Crash: Aviation Safety in a Changing World

Average customer rating:

Real life drama.
Excellent,overview of commercial aircraft accident causes

Why Airplanes Crash: Aviation Safety in a Changing World
Clinton V. Oster , C. Kurt Zorn , and John S. Strong
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Safety & Health | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Public Health | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Emergency Medical Services | Allied Health Professions | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Organizational Behavior | Business Management | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Safety & First Aid | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0195072235

Book Description

This work examines the causes of airplane accidents and what private and public policies are needed to improve aviation safety. It begins by examining the safety record of the United States commuter airline industry in the post-deregulation era characterized by increased emphasis by airlines on cost control and growing pressures on the air traffic control and airport system. The authors go beyond the safety of the scheduled airlines to examine the reasons for accidents in the nonscheduled and general aviation segments of the United States industry, where the bulk of fatalities occur and where airline pilots increasingly receive most of their training and experience. They then turn to an examination of aviation safety throughout the world, first with a detailed comparison of Canadian and American aviation safety, and then with a look at air safety in all regions of the world and the safety performances of all the world's major airlines. Three emerging issues are then examined in greater detail: assessing the margin of safety, worldwide aging of all airline fleets, and terrorism.

Customer Reviews:

Real life drama........2001-02-21

I put on about 100,000 frequent flier miles a year. Once in an airport while waiting for a delay I came across this book. Almost as a joke I bought it to amuse my travel companions. We all joked a bit about it for a while. Our flight eventually boarded and I took the book out and began to read. I was captivated. I finished the book in less than a day. I left it on my desk in the office and people are still borrowing to this day. There is something morbid about reading these accounts but once you start you will not be able to finish.

Excellent,overview of commercial aircraft accident causes.......1997-02-08

Covers the effect or lack of effect of aviation deregulation on aircraft accidents in the US. Shows primary causes and has an amazing number of statistics on how and why aircraft crash

Air Crashes: What Went Wrong, Why, and What Can Be Done about It (General Aviation Reading series)

Average customer rating:

Air Crashes: What Went Wrong, Why, and What Can Be Done about It (General Aviation Reading series)
Richard L. Collins
Manufacturer: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Public Health | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1565660064

Book Description

These examinations of aviation accident scenes teach pilots to understand why airplanes crash and to learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books