Originally Posted by
aterpster
Re: the 707 breakup. Given the same circumstances you don't think today's airliners wouldn't break up?
No, but I believe pilots are more alert to the risks so that has helped contribute to a reduction in risk and therefore an increase in safety. If you compare the accident statistics from the 1960's with those of today, given the increase in air movements, the increase in overall safety has been huge. I was at a conference last year where someone claimed that if the accident rates of the early 1960's applied today there would be a major crash somewhere in the world virtually every other day. Makes you think doesn't it?
In my original posting, I omitted to mention that I understand that Capt. Dobson was a Lancaster pilot with 617 squadron having joined them after the famous Dambusters raid.
ExSp33db1rd and others - thanks for the interesting comments and background you have provided.