Archive for pilot error
NTSB too quick to blame the pilot — baltimoresun.com
Posted by: | CommentsAs you accurately report, the National Transportation Safety Board, after an exhaustive investigation, released its final report on the loss of Maryland State Police Medivac Helicopter “Trooper 2″ (“NTSB blames pilot error in ’08 medevac crash,” Oct. 28). While “pilot error” was cited as a contributing cause of the accident, it was not the only cause.
The aviation industry has a long, and perhaps less than proud, tradition of blaming pilots in fatal accidents because they cannot defend themselves. We cannot ask them why they did what they did or the reasons for the actions they took or, as the case may be, failed to take.
Two distracted pilots lose licenses – USATODAY.com
Posted by: | CommentsThe federal government on Tuesday revoked the licenses of two Northwest Airlines pilots who flew their jet hundreds of miles over the center of the country as controllers frantically tried to radio them.
The unusual emergency action by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) means that the pilots of Northwest Flight 188 — Capt. Timothy Cheney of Gig Harbor, Wash., and co-pilot Richard Cole of Salem, Ore. — cannot fly for at least one year.
AT ISSUE: Incident highlights outdated air-traffic system
BACKGROUND: Northwest pilots’ ‘distraction’ blamed in airport overshoot
“You operated NW188 in a reckless manner that endangered the lives and property of others,” the FAA wrote the two men.
The agency accused the men of not following air-traffic instructions, not maintaining radio contact and operating recklessly or carelessly. The letters noted that the jet was out of contact for 91 minutes, longer than authorities had originally said.
The FAA could not say how many pilots have received emergency revocations. While the agency occasionally takes such action against airline pilots, such as the handful of aviators caught with alcohol in their systems in recent years, it is highly unusual, said spokeswoman Laura Brown.
Two distracted pilots lose licenses – USATODAY.com
Posted by: | CommentsThe federal government on Tuesday revoked the licenses of two Northwest Airlines pilots who flew their jet hundreds of miles over the center of the country as controllers frantically tried to radio them.
The unusual emergency action by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) means that the pilots of Northwest Flight 188 — Capt. Timothy Cheney of Gig Harbor, Wash., and co-pilot Richard Cole of Salem, Ore. — cannot fly for at least one year.
AT ISSUE: Incident highlights outdated air-traffic system
BACKGROUND: Northwest pilots’ ‘distraction’ blamed in airport overshoot
“You operated NW188 in a reckless manner that endangered the lives and property of others,” the FAA wrote the two men.
The agency accused the men of not following air-traffic instructions, not maintaining radio contact and operating recklessly or carelessly. The letters noted that the jet was out of contact for 91 minutes, longer than authorities had originally said.
Pilot who missed landing denies sleeping | Aviation | Wichita Eagle
Posted by: | CommentsPilot who missed landing denies sleeping
By STEVE KARNOWSKI and BRAD CAIN
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. —The first officer of the Northwest Airlines jet that missed its destination by 150 miles says he and the captain were not sleeping or arguing in the cockpit but he wouldn’t explain their lapse in response and the detour.
“It was not a serious event, from a safety issue,” pilot Richard Cole said late Friday in front of his Salem, Ore., home. “I would tell you more, but I’ve already told you way too much.”
Air traffic controllers and pilots had tried for more than an hour Wednesday night to contact the Minneapolis-bound flight. Officials on the ground alerted National Guard jets to prepare to chase the airliner, though none of the military planes left the runway.
The jet with 144 passengers aboard was being closely monitored by senior White House officials, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro told the Associated Press on Saturday.
via Pilot who missed landing denies sleeping | Aviation | Wichita Eagle.
