Originally Posted by
megan
This is not a first, software code has been responsible for prior accidents, Iberia A320 being one.
Fixed by a code modification.
Many years ago while working on a fire-control system, we were evaluating test methodologies between the F-16's Westinghouse, General Dynamics Phalanx fire-control, and Airbus fly-by-wire. The Airbus strategy (as I recall which was about 4 decades back) was to deliver the code to 3 companies in three different countries, none of whom knew of the others existence. AB expected each would find some unique code exceptions by doing so. Not so. Well over 90% were identifed by multiple vendors including all deemed critical bugs save maybe one. The rest were not considered major flight control errors.
Maybe Gums could chime in here, but we had heard rumors (maybe urban legend) that some of the early F-16 deployments in Germany with look-down did on occasion lock on to low flying Mercedes on the Autobahn. As a designer, how many would consider that possibility?
There will never be a perfect balance between automation and human interaction. Automation is programmed by humans - mistakes will happen on both ends.