saying the crash was because the takeoff warning systems wasn't working is not quite right.
it is whether or not the slats/flaps were set
if the system were broken and the pilots set the slats/flaps everything would be ok
teachme, above, checks his door lock twice before going to sleep.
pilots should check slats/flaps alot more.
anyone here ever read "thirty seconds over tokyo", or see the movie? B25 bombers, taking off from the carrier USS Hornet? The author of the book, ted lawson, FORGOT to set his flaps for takeoff...he was the only one of 16 bombers (which were never designed for carrier use) and his plane almost crashed.
this was in 1942.
when I was a boy of about 12, I read this book and even then I understood how important flaps were. (especially ironic, as lawson helped design the wing flaps for the b19 experimental bomber)