I remember one incident where the probes on an airliner were left taped-up and it led (I think) to a fatal crash. I'm pretty sure it was found out that a thorough walk-around should have picked up the problem.
I was going to mention that one myself. it was 757: Aeroperu Flight 603. The walk-round should have picked up that the static ports were taped over (although maintenance procedures hadn't been followed by ground crew, they had used metal coloured tape and it was dark). The crew had erroneous instrument indications after take-off and lost control of the aircraft taking 70 lives with them.
vanderaj, Generally, every commercial aircraft has specific inspection procedures which normally don't include removing panels and checking the fuel in tanks by hand.
Even if the pilot you watched wasn't doing her job properly, doesn't mean you should follow her example.
DON'T BE GASH!!!
