QF B767 and United B747 Taxi Collision at Melbourne
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Stuck in the middle...
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Amateurs.
If you've got a 744 to play with, here's how to really take out another a/c:
http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/as...nc/photo.shtml
If you've got a 744 to play with, here's how to really take out another a/c:
http://www.airdisaster.com/photos/as...nc/photo.shtml
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Sydney
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Here's an analogy for you Pete.
Joe the ramp loader is about to finish a long shift. He has been awake for 20 hours and is about to unload the last flight of the night.
Management, in their cost-cutting zeal have removed the front set of brakes from his loader as an economy measure, This results in braking action of the loader being diminished but still deemed acceptable.
There is heavy rain on the tarmac. Unknown to Joe, there has been a small amount of oil spilled near where the aircraft will be parked. It almost caught out the last loader to operate at this gate but the leading hand thought it wasn't significant. Joe is waiting at his required position on the tarmac in the rain as the aircraft pulls to a halt.
Joe guns the loader towards the door. He is a good conscientious employee who tries to look after his employers interests by doing his job efficiently. He wants the passengers to get their bags in quick time and then he wants to go home.
The rain and poor light makes gauging distances difficult but Joe has done this many times and has always had good judgement. Just as he approaches the point where he would start to brake his foot slips for a second on to accelerator. Joe has an instant to decide whether or not to veer the loader away or to try and brake.
Based on his previous experience he tries to brake. However the combination of the contaminated tarmac and the reduced effectiveness of the brakes means that he is in a situation outside of his experience. The loader fails to brake properly and contacts the aircraft.
Now no-one will deny here that Joe was in charge of the loader and made an error of judgement. But tell me with a straight face that he is solely responsible, or negligent enough to be sacked?
History abounds with airline managements attempts to cover up their own shortcomings by blaming the poor slobs who were at the exit end of the swiss cheese holes. No-one wants to have an accident and there is hardly EVER a single cause. Try remembering that.
Joe the ramp loader is about to finish a long shift. He has been awake for 20 hours and is about to unload the last flight of the night.
Management, in their cost-cutting zeal have removed the front set of brakes from his loader as an economy measure, This results in braking action of the loader being diminished but still deemed acceptable.
There is heavy rain on the tarmac. Unknown to Joe, there has been a small amount of oil spilled near where the aircraft will be parked. It almost caught out the last loader to operate at this gate but the leading hand thought it wasn't significant. Joe is waiting at his required position on the tarmac in the rain as the aircraft pulls to a halt.
Joe guns the loader towards the door. He is a good conscientious employee who tries to look after his employers interests by doing his job efficiently. He wants the passengers to get their bags in quick time and then he wants to go home.
The rain and poor light makes gauging distances difficult but Joe has done this many times and has always had good judgement. Just as he approaches the point where he would start to brake his foot slips for a second on to accelerator. Joe has an instant to decide whether or not to veer the loader away or to try and brake.
Based on his previous experience he tries to brake. However the combination of the contaminated tarmac and the reduced effectiveness of the brakes means that he is in a situation outside of his experience. The loader fails to brake properly and contacts the aircraft.
Now no-one will deny here that Joe was in charge of the loader and made an error of judgement. But tell me with a straight face that he is solely responsible, or negligent enough to be sacked?
History abounds with airline managements attempts to cover up their own shortcomings by blaming the poor slobs who were at the exit end of the swiss cheese holes. No-one wants to have an accident and there is hardly EVER a single cause. Try remembering that.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
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ATSB Preliminary Report:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600524.aspx
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600524.aspx
