OFBSLF
8th Apr 2015, 21:14
I read the following in a Boston Globe article on the report:
Scrutiny in the wake of the crash focused on the plane’s gust lock, a mechanism on several Gulfstream models which locks a plane’s elevators, ailerons and rudder in place to prevent wind damage while parked outdoors. Engaging the gust lock, which is controlled by a red lever to the right of the thrust lever in the Gulfstream IV cockpit, is also supposed to restrict the plane’s power -- limiting its ability to take off.
But in the wake of the crash, Gulfstream issued advisories to pilots warning that takeoff power might be possible in a G-IV, even with the gust lock engaged.
The advisories also urged pilots to disengage the gust lock before starting the plane’s engines, and to check flight controls before beginning their taxi towards takeoff.
But a review of the plane’s data recorder revealed that such checks had been performed in full prior to take off only twice in the previous 175 flights, and were not completed prior to the crash.
Full text is here: NTSB reports reveal Hanscom crash?s tragic last moments before seven people perished - Metro - The Boston Globe (http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/08/ntsb-reports-reveal-hanscom-crash-tragic-last-moments-before-seven-people-perished/zGGFJ2cEHJpd7nqlFrXoEM/story.html)
As a lowly SLF, I'm shocked that the pilots would routinely not check that the controls are free prior to flight. Isn't that a standard check on all aircraft?
Scrutiny in the wake of the crash focused on the plane’s gust lock, a mechanism on several Gulfstream models which locks a plane’s elevators, ailerons and rudder in place to prevent wind damage while parked outdoors. Engaging the gust lock, which is controlled by a red lever to the right of the thrust lever in the Gulfstream IV cockpit, is also supposed to restrict the plane’s power -- limiting its ability to take off.
But in the wake of the crash, Gulfstream issued advisories to pilots warning that takeoff power might be possible in a G-IV, even with the gust lock engaged.
The advisories also urged pilots to disengage the gust lock before starting the plane’s engines, and to check flight controls before beginning their taxi towards takeoff.
But a review of the plane’s data recorder revealed that such checks had been performed in full prior to take off only twice in the previous 175 flights, and were not completed prior to the crash.
Full text is here: NTSB reports reveal Hanscom crash?s tragic last moments before seven people perished - Metro - The Boston Globe (http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/04/08/ntsb-reports-reveal-hanscom-crash-tragic-last-moments-before-seven-people-perished/zGGFJ2cEHJpd7nqlFrXoEM/story.html)
As a lowly SLF, I'm shocked that the pilots would routinely not check that the controls are free prior to flight. Isn't that a standard check on all aircraft?