Indonesian aircraft missing off Jakarta

[threemiles]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

You're not making sense. No, of course it isn't about that. By definition you can't "try to let something emerge" if you don't know it exists.

But it happens. If you're suggesting, as you seem to be, that certification doesn't involve flight testing, that's clearly nonsense.

Flight Test Guide for Certification of Transport Category Airplanes - FAA

We are not on the same page here. You are talking about flight tests, which verify a design . I am talking about certification of an aircraft system. These are two different baskets. This accident is related to an aircraft system, most likely ATA 22 in conjunction with ATA 27. It is the first and most important task of certification of a new design that you find out what COULD happen and what you possibly don't know and have never seen before. There are very structured approaches and tools to do this.

But in reality 90% of the preparation work for certification is done by the OEMs. Today's systems are much too complex that a FAA or EASA task force can review and understand entire new technology system designs without any help. Help in this business is also about liability and tends to be biased. Not mentioning the enormous time pressure to get the first delivery out and cash in.

Been there, done that for 25 years.