Air Crash Investigator Answers Aviation Accident Questions | Tech Support | WIRED

Aviation Accident Support (0s)

• Greg Fei, a former NTSB air safety investigator, is available to answer questions from the internet on aviation accident support (0s).
• He is responding to questions submitted online as part of this session (2s).
• The session is focused on providing support and answering questions related to aviation accidents (6s).

Safest seat on a plane (14s)

• The safest spot to sit on an airplane is where you can access an exit, over the wings, or in close proximity to either the forward exit or the rear exit (20s).
• To determine the safest seat, count the seats between the exit in front of you and the exits behind you (29s).
• Knowing your position in relation to the closest exit is crucial, as airplane crashes can occur in various situations, such as upside down, at night, or on fire, where you may have to crawl to exit (43s).

Uh, this is your captain speaking (49s)

• The experience of passengers on a plane during a crash is often different from what is depicted in movies. (50s)
• In a non-critical situation, the flight crew may inform passengers of a problem, such as an engine issue, and reassure them that it is under control and that the plane will divert. (56s)
• In a catastrophic or urgent situation, passengers may not hear from the flight crew at all, or they may be instructed to "brace for impact" because the plane is about to crash. (1m10s)
• The flight crew's priority in an emergency situation is to try and prevent the accident, rather than to communicate with passengers. (1m22s)

How can birds bring down a plane? (1m30s)

• The size of the bird is a crucial factor in determining the potential damage it can cause to an airplane in the event of a bird strike (1m34s).
• A notable example of a bird strike incident is the Miracle on the Hudson, where US Airways Flight 1549, piloted by Captain Sully Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles, encountered a flock of geese at 3,000 ft after taking off from LaGuardia Airport, resulting in both engines being damaged and the plane being forced to make an emergency landing in the water (1m52s).
• The impact of a bird strike can be severe, with a 20 lb goose being equivalent to throwing a bowling ball into the front end of an airplane at high speed, causing significant damage to the engines (2m6s).
• Bird strikes can also cause damage to the windshield of an airplane, particularly if the windshield heat is not activated, as was the case in an incident investigated where a 2B duck came through the windshield and almost killed the captain (2m44s).
• The importance of following checklists is highlighted by an incident where a flight crew forgot to activate the windshield heat, putting them in peril when a bird struck the windshield (2m29s).
• In some cases, bird strikes can be fatal, as seen in a small general aviation accident where a 22 lb bird came through the windscreen and struck both pilots, killing them (3m15s).
• While aircraft are designed to mitigate the dangers of bird strikes, it is not possible to build a completely bird-proof aircraft (3m24s).

When do accidents occur? (3m30s)

• Most aviation accidents occur during the stages of takeoff and landing, as these are the most critical times when the airplane is under the most strain, particularly on the engines (3m31s).
• Inflight events at cruise altitude are rare, as everything is typically working properly and the airplane is usually on autopilot (3m36s).
• During takeoff, the airplane is heavy, low, and slow, making it a critical time for safety (3m43s).
• Landing is also a critical time, as the airplane is approaching the ground and the margin of safety is decreased, especially in the presence of weather events, wind, or downdrafts (3m51s).
• Despite the risks, the chances of survival are higher in modern airplanes, even in the event of a crash, due to improvements in structure, collapse zones, and energy-absorbing materials (4m11s).
• Modern airplane seats are also designed to withstand higher g-loads, increasing the chances of survival in the event of an accident (4m22s).
• The design and safety features of modern airplanes have significantly improved compared to those built in the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s (4m6s).

Accident investigation reports (4m31s)

• Investigation reports that had the biggest impact on the industry or were the most controversial include the Malaysian Air MH370 incident, which is considered the most controversial due to the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the airplane over the South Indian Ocean (4m32s).
• The MH370 incident has had a significant impact because the airplane likely settled into 2,000 ft of silt on the ocean floor, making it nearly impossible to locate, and the geography of the area is mountainous, which could cause detection technology to miss the aircraft (4m37s).
• The disappearance of MH370 is further complicated by the depth of the ocean and the terrain, making it challenging to determine the exact location of the crash (4m51s).
• Another highly publicized and debated accident is the TWA 800 incident, where the aircraft exploded off the coast of New York, with many conspiracy theorists believing the airplane was shot down rather than experiencing a mechanical malfunction in the center fuel tank (5m14s).
• The TWA 800 incident remains a topic of discussion, with some people attributing the explosion to a mechanical issue, while others speculate about alternative causes (5m16s).

Malaysia airlines flight 370 (5m35s)

• Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is believed to be at the bottom of the South Indian Ocean, approximately 22,000 ft deep, with the possibility of it being found in the future (5m36s).
• The disappearance of Flight 370 is considered a mystery and an intentional act, rather than an accident, as the airplane flew for 7 hours and ended up in a location it shouldn't have been (5m56s).
• The only explanation for the airplane's final location is that it was navigated there by a pilot or pilots (6m6s).
• There is no evidence to suggest an in-flight fire occurred, and even if there was, the airplane wouldn't have been able to fly for 7 hours (6m12s).
• Various conspiracy theories have been proposed, including a nefarious act involving someone accessing the electronics bay, but these are unlikely (6m20s).
• Another conspiracy theory suggests the airplane is hidden on an island covered in jungle, but it's not feasible to bury or hide a Boeing Tri 7 (6m29s).
• The most likely explanation for the disappearance of Flight 370 is an intentional act (6m39s).

Why do planes not have parachutes? (6m44s)

• Planes do not have parachutes due to the added weight and the impracticality of building a parachute large enough to safely bring down a massive aircraft like a 747 (6m46s).
• Issuing parachutes to passengers is not feasible because it would require training them, and even then, it's unlikely passengers could safely exit the plane in time (6m51s).
• Parachutes would be of little value in emergency situations, as most accidents occur during landing and takeoff when the plane is already close to the ground (7m1s).
• The question of whether planes can have parachutes was raised by Andrew Dixon (7m6s).

can planes fly and land during thunderstorms? (7m9s)

• Airplanes can land in thunderstorms to an extent, but pilots generally avoid flying in them and may only do so inadvertently (7m9s).
• Pilots usually try to avoid thunderstorms, but in some cases, they may make a decision to fly into one, which can have severe consequences (7m15s).
• The American Airlines Flight 1420 accident at Little Rock, Arkansas, is an example of a bad decision made by pilots to fly into thunderstorm activity, resulting in 12 fatalities (7m22s).
• In this accident, the pilots attempted to land the airplane at night, and the aircraft started to hydroplane, striking a structure and ripping the airplane open (7m33s).
• Investigators use the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to piece together the events leading up to an accident and understand the decision-making process of the flight crew (7m59s).
• In the case of American Airlines Flight 1420, the captain expressed discomfort with the situation, stating that he hated "droning around visually at night in weather without having some clue where I am," which indicated that the pilots should have abandoned their approach (8m7s).

“I was intoxicated. I drank all of those days. I drank—in excess.” (8m32s)

• A storyline about a drunk pilot, as depicted in a movie, is unrealistic and diabolical, and in real life, a drunk pilot would never be able to successfully operate an airplane, even if they were as skilled as the character played by Denzel Washington (8m33s).
• The aviation system has safeguards in place to prevent pilots or crew members with substance abuse issues from accessing the flight controls, effectively trapping and identifying those individuals before they can pose a risk (9m1s).
• Pilots with substance abuse issues would be prevented from entering the cockpit and putting the airplane in a dangerous position, unlike what is often depicted in movies (9m9s).
• The aviation system has measures to address substance abuse among pilots and crew members, both in commercial and private aviation (8m58s).
• The idea of a drunk pilot successfully operating an airplane is a compelling but unrealistic storyline that is best enjoyed in a movie (8m36s).

What happens if a window on a plane cracks? (9m23s)

• If a window on a plane cracks at low altitude, the aircraft will depressurize, but it won't be a catastrophic explosion or decompression (9m28s).
• At high altitude, around 35,000 ft, a cracked window can cause a lot of debris and, in some cases, people can be sucked out of the aircraft due to the change in pressure (9m33s).
• The change in pressure creates a vacuum that causes objects to be sucked out of the aircraft until the pressure equalizes (9m42s).
• If passengers are strapped in, they will survive the incident (9m49s).

Captain Sully (9m53s)

• The movie about Captain Sully is 10 minutes of fact and 90 minutes of fiction, according to one perspective, with human-piloted simulation showing it was possible to make it back to the airport (10m1s).
• The NTSB was not out to get Captain Sully or any other pilot, as their normal interview process involves asking pilots to tell their story and explain the procedures they followed and the decisions they made (10m10s).
• The NTSB's goal is to understand what happened, rather than to target specific individuals, but sometimes the facts may not be compelling enough for a movie (10m24s).

The probability of getting killed in an airplane accident (10m31s)

• The probability of being killed in an airplane accident is one in 11 million. (10m31s)
• Aviation is the safest form of transportation worldwide. (10m37s)
• The chances of getting struck by lightning are greater than being killed in an airplane accident. (10m41s)
• The chances of getting killed in an automobile accident are greater than being killed in an airplane accident. (10m46s)
• Train accidents, bus accidents, and pedestrian accidents have a higher probability of resulting in injury or death compared to airplane accidents. (10m50s)
• Riding a bicycle or crossing the street has a higher probability of resulting in injury or death compared to being involved in a fatal airplane accident. (10m54s)

Snakes On A Plane (11m3s)

• A hypothetical scenario is presented where the movie "Snakes on a Plane" becomes a reality, with advice to keep feet up on the seat and avoid provoking the snake (11m3s).
• The scenario is posed by a person named Mukami, who inquires about the situation (11m9s).

Aerophobics (11m12s)

• For individuals with aerophobia, it is essential to relax and have patience, as a lack of patience can increase anxiety levels (11m12s).
• Familiarizing oneself with the noises during an airplane's takeoff can help alleviate anxiety, such as the clunking sound caused by the landing gear being retracted (11m28s).
• Understanding the functions of airplane parts, such as the flaps on the wing, can also help reduce anxiety; the flaps increase lift during slow speeds like takeoff and increase drag for landing (11m30s).
• When experiencing turbulence, it is helpful to focus on the sensation rather than fearing the worst, such as the wings breaking off, which is highly unlikely (11m48s).
• Educating oneself on the basics of aviation can significantly reduce anxiety and make the flying experience more manageable (12m5s).

Falling with style (12m15s)

• Planes landing at 4:00 a.m. can be considered controlled crashes, as pilots control the weight and energy of the aircraft with the thrust and controls. (12m16s)
• In a controlled crash, the pilot is able to manage the energy of the plane to ensure a safe landing. (12m21s)
• The advantage of a controlled crash is that the airplane typically isn't damaged, allowing the pilot to taxi to the terminal afterwards. (12m28s)

ValuJet Flight 592 (12m37s)

• ValuJet Flight 592 was a notable aviation accident that occurred, and the investigator in charge remembers it well due to its significance in safety presentations worldwide (12m37s).
• Shortly after departure, the pilot made a radio call stating that there was smoke in the cabin and cockpit, indicating a possible in-flight fire (12m57s).
• The investigation relied heavily on the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, as the aircraft crashed in the Florida Everglades (13m13s).
• A crucial question asked by an investigator changed the course of the investigation, focusing on oxygen canisters used in aviation, which are typically painted green and contain oxygen bottles (13m25s).
• The remnants of 144 oxygen canisters were found, and it was determined that they had been exposed to fire, with the key evidence being an Exemplar oxygen generator (13m33s).
• The oxygen generators had a 32-caliber percussion cap that starts an exothermic reaction, but they were shipped without the required protective plastic cap to prevent inadvertent firing (13m45s).
• The lack of a 2-cent protective cap on the oxygen generators ultimately cost the lives of 110 people (14m0s).

The black box and what else? (14m7s)

• Crash investigators look for physical evidence apart from the black box, including the aircraft wreckage itself, to examine the propeller, engine, and damage to determine if there was an inflight breakup or structural failure (14m8s).
• Investigators also look for faults in the Comm computer or software that may have caused or contributed to the accident, such as the issue with Airbus computers going to sleep in flight, which was later fixed (14m31s).
• Meteorologists are used to study the environment in weather-related accidents, and many aircraft accidents are now being captured on video, providing valuable evidence (14m42s).
• Investigators analyze the wreckage to gather information, such as handle positions, flap handles, trim, and control yolks, to understand if the pilots properly configured the airplane for takeoff (15m12s).
• Investigators use simulators to recreate the accident based on factual data to determine if the pilots had options and could have recognized the situation before it got out of control (15m26s).

The flight data recorder (15m42s)

• Flight data recorders provide telemetry technical recordings that show investigators what the airplane was doing, including pitch, roll, yaw, altitude, and flight control positions (15m43s).
• The data from the flight data recorder is used to create a flight profile, which is a representation of the aircraft's flight path (15m57s).
• In the case of an aircraft that crashed shortly after takeoff, the flight data recorder revealed that the pilot did not initiate the takeoff, and the airplane became airborne by itself (16m2s).
• The flight data recorder data showed that the control position was different from the actual attitude of the aircraft, indicating that the pilot was pushing forward on the controls as the nose was rising, but was unable to control it (16m13s).
• Unfortunately, due to the low altitude, the aircraft struck the ground before the pilot could make it back to the runway (16m25s).
• This incident is not the first time a plane has experienced a similar issue, as noted by Cyclone Dave (16m31s).

EgyptAir Flight 990 and SilkAir Flight 185 (16m34s)

• EgyptAir Flight 990 and SilkAir Flight 185 are examples of aviation accidents that were brought down deliberately by a pilot (16m35s).
• EgyptAir Flight 990 was a Boeing 767 that crashed off the coast of New York due to the first officer intentionally pushing the nose over at a low altitude (16m46s).
• The crash of EgyptAir Flight 990 resulted in the airplane going into the ocean (16m52s).
• SilkAir Flight 185 was an accident involving a Boeing 737 that crashed from 35,000 feet after the pilot intentionally rolled it inverted and hit the water at almost Mach One Speed (17m9s).
• The pilot of SilkAir Flight 185 had the intent to kill himself and the passengers and crew on the airplane (17m5s).
• The United States was represented in the investigation of SilkAir Flight 185, which occurred in Indonesia (16m57s).

Pilot training (17m15s)

• Pilot training plays a crucial role in preventing accidents by teaching pilots to understand and mitigate damage in the event of an accident or serious incident, increasing the survivability of crew and passengers (17m15s).
• An example of inadequate pilot training is the American Airlines MD80 accident, where the pilot failed to abandon the approach despite the aircraft being off-center from the runway, resulting in a loss of control, runway overrun, and 12 fatalities (17m36s).
• Another example is a small business-type jet accident, where the pilots deployed thrust reversers in flight asymmetrically, causing the aircraft to roll 90°, as they attempted a maneuver not in the flight manual, ultimately costing them their lives (17m58s).

What’s happened to Boeing? (18m22s)

• Boeing has faced issues with their aircraft and aircraft accidents over the past 10 years, starting with the 787's initial battery issues that caused in-flight fires (18m35s).
• The 737 Max accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia have drawn significant public attention to Boeing's problems (18m43s).
• Boeing has issues with quality control in their manufacturing process and some design issues, but this is not unique to the company as every manufacturer faces similar problems (18m53s).
• Airbus has also experienced accidents in the recent past, but they have not received the same level of scrutiny as the Boeing accidents (19m2s).

GPS Trackers (19m10s)

• Airplanes are tracked worldwide using conventional radar and a new technology called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), which provides information directly from the airplane to air traffic control with specificity every second, including speed, altitude, and GPS position (19m29s).
• Commercial aircraft engines often transmit data to the manufacturer during flights, providing tracking data for airlines to understand engine health (19m50s).
• Despite tracking capabilities, there are "black spots" or voids in coverage around the world, particularly over oceans, due to the limited range of radar sites (20m8s).
• The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 highlighted the need for better tracking worldwide to eliminate these voids or blackout areas (20m24s).
• Over-the-horizon radar typically has a range of 12 to 1500 miles from the radar site, but there are no radar sites positioned in the middle of oceans like the Indian Ocean (20m13s).

Can pilots actually prevent crashes (20m37s)

• Pilots can't always prevent crashes during catastrophic events, as some situations may be beyond their control (20m38s).
• An example of a situation beyond a pilot's control is the United Airlines Flight 232 accident, where the fan section in the center of the DC-10 aircraft failed, cutting hydraulic lines and rendering the plane incapacitated (20m48s).
• In the United Airlines Flight 232 accident, the pilots had to use differential power on the wing engines to maintain control, climb, descend, and steer the aircraft (21m0s).
• The Miracle on the Hudson accident, involving an Airbus A320, is an example of pilots making split-second decisions based on available evidence and information to prevent a crash (21m10s).
• In the Miracle on the Hudson accident, Captain Sullenberger took control of the airplane and decided to land in the Hudson River, which was the best viable option at the time (21m24s).
• The pilots in the Miracle on the Hudson accident successfully landed the plane with minimal damage, allowing all passengers to survive, evacuate, and be rescued (21m35s).

Korean Air Flight 801 (21m47s)

• Korean Air Flight 801 crashed on Final Approach, rather than missing it, hitting a hill 6 miles from the airport (21m57s).
• The crash occurred due to the flight crew's lack of understanding of how to fly a non-precision electronic approach (22m7s).
• The accident resulted in the deaths of over 250 people (22m9s).
• The investigation into the crash led to a discovery about spurious signals affecting navigation systems on the airplane (22m12s).

Airplane Mode on phones (22m22s)

• Using a cell phone in airplane mode on a plane can still cause disruptions to the navigation system and Ground Proximity Warning Systems due to the signal emitted by the device (22m23s).
• The signals from devices such as phones, iPads, or computers can interfere with the aircraft's systems, despite the wires on an airplane being insulated from spurious signals (22m37s).
• To minimize risks, aircraft manufacturers and certifying authorities, including the FAA, recommend turning off electronic devices during flights in the interest of aviation safety (22m48s).
• A viewer, Marlo dour, is mentioned as asking a question related to this topic (22m52s).

Aloha Airlines Flight 243 (22m54s)

• Aloha Airlines Flight 243 was a fatal accident that occurred at altitude, resulting in the loss of a flight attendant when the top of the airplane separated from the rest of the structure (23m6s).
• The accident was caused by a crack that had developed in the older 737 aircraft, which was missed during an inspection (23m20s).
• As a result of this accident, inspection processes have been improved to prevent such incidents from happening again (23m15s).