Despite there being no certainty about the source of the failure trajectory in this case yet, the whole question of engineering and design intent is still worth reflecting on.
We can always look back and cite S76 lightning struck MRBs, OEM repaired pressure domes on B747s, Shuttle O rings and brand newish A380 wings (though there is a scurrilous story that Filton told Toulouse that oversize rivets would be an issue into machined rib feet before design release - but I digress). These things - whether an Apple iPad or a helicopter MGB have to make compromise decisions when the design phase is initiated. These considerations about compromise usually have some sort of cost associated with the discussion - it's unavoidable - even human lives have an applied value that is considerably lower than that chosen by the nearest and dearest. This could be termed 'greed' and perhaps rightly so. But as the examples indicated at the top show, there is some person who finally signs off on a decision on the behalf of some organisation. I am sure if any organisation had an inkling that what they sign off on would potentially ground a fleet, then there would be some sort of design review. Sadly none of us are granted this futuristic revelation.
In 99.9999 times out of a hundred there are no implications or comeback. We get to focus on the 'accident porn' and assess where things went wrong - afterwards.
Given the number of B212 skid sets I abused in my years, I suspect that if a cross bar had been clattered against the side of a ship or pushed out the back of an Antonov and it was later fastened to something I later flew, I am almost certain that there would be no implication. How many times could you radiographically slice and inspect a post 'sudden stop' transmission before everyone is satisfied that three years down the line, all will be well?
We are all in the risk business, its not pleasant being confronted with those moments where the risk assessment did not flag an event and you trip over the 1 in whatever accident probability. My drive to work has a hundred fold risk of an accident over my next flight to Kuwait or Houston (actually probably a bit more here), my personal focus remains obstinately on the flight and not the drive.
Take care out there
TOD
Last edited by Thridle Op Des; 9th Jul 2016 at 10:09.
Reason: afterthought