I certainly can see why airlines with good safety records have vigorous training programs, and in many if not in most cases of mishaps, if not in all cases, human error should be found as the cause of the mishap. Let’s examine the AF Toronto mishap. Human Error: crew continued approach and landing during adverseContinue reading “Human Error and Training”
Author Archives: Capt. Paul Miller
Flaw Free or Mishap Free Operations?
We can forecast by learning from the mishaps of other organizations. We learn by observing the mistakes that are made. That being said, I would add that we actually have a more superior ability to observe these mistakes as they are made on the line and before they contribute to a mishap. Did you knowContinue reading “Flaw Free or Mishap Free Operations?”
How the NTSB, FAA and BEA Add to the Aviation Disaster Tragedy
Safety Mishap Investigations are intended to prevent the same mishap from ever happening again, from ever reoccurring. But what often really does go on during the investigations conducted by NTSB, FAA, BEA, ATSB and other national boards around the world? Here is my opinion, here is a look into what often goes on in theContinue reading “How the NTSB, FAA and BEA Add to the Aviation Disaster Tragedy”
Grim Safety Forecast for Air France
The recommendation is contained in the latest BEA accident report investigating the loss of the Air France Flight 447, a document that outlines 10 new safety recommendations, including improved pilot stall-awareness training, the inclusion of cockpit cameras, and adding angle-of-attack readouts in the cockpit. But it’s the inclusion of a call for mandatory data streamingContinue reading “Grim Safety Forecast for Air France”
AF447 Investigation Fails to Deter Future Mishaps
It is with great sadness that I note the issuance of BEA’s recommendation for new data streaming requirements for all pax acft. In other words, BEA is saying, “To help us reduce our costs in locating the next accident site, we would like all of you to stream your DFDR.” Well, that pretty much sumsContinue reading “AF447 Investigation Fails to Deter Future Mishaps”
AF 447: Proof of Incomplete, Possibly Incorrect Investigation?
What is the purpose of a Safety Investigation of an aviation disaster? The answer is simple and singular: the purpose of a Safety Investigation is to determine what happened and what actions can be taken to ensure that the event does not reoccur? This is the simple and singular purpose of a Safety Investigation ofContinue reading “AF 447: Proof of Incomplete, Possibly Incorrect Investigation?”
Prevention by Investigation vs AF 447 Blame Game
If prevention of a mishap similar to the one being investigated is not the purpose of the safety mishap or incident investigation, then what is the purpose of the investigation?If the purpose is to level blame, for one party to escape blame, to shift blame to someone else, to share blame with other parties, wellContinue reading “Prevention by Investigation vs AF 447 Blame Game”
AF447 again and again?
AF447 will undoubtedly reoccur again and again because the aircraft mishap investigation board failed to discover the cause of the mishap and instead blamed the mishap on the crew. Not only is this an inaccurate and unsubstantiated conclusion, it is also a conclusion that is misinformative. No airline reading this report will be able toContinue reading “AF447 again and again?”
Is Your Safety Investigation Local?
The information gathered from a local investigation to determine ‘what went wrong and how do we prevent it from recurring’ needs to be local. There is a tendency to defer investigations to higher authority, most likely because the local safety managers just do not have the equipment to analyze the DFDR and other technical records.Continue reading “Is Your Safety Investigation Local?”
Go Arounds, Missed Approaches and variations?
I would like to suggest that each reader spend a few minutes thinking about how many different procedures that their airline or aviation organization has for conducting a missed approach and/or a go around. Your first reaction might be “Just one.” But take another minute and consider the variations. Each aircraft type has a slightlyContinue reading “Go Arounds, Missed Approaches and variations?”
Safety Forecast 