The Ship Model Forum

TheRegister wrote:Computer system suspected in Heathrow 777 crash
Mechanical failure 'unthinkable'
By Lester Haines
Published Monday 21st January 2008 11:35 GMT

Experts have suggested that the simultaneous failure of both engines of the BA 777 which last week crash-landed at Heathrow must have been caused by a computer glitch, the Times reports.

BA038 lost power when it was about two miles from the airport's south runway. The pilot glided the aircraft to a belly-flop short of the tarmac, and the 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped without serious injury.

There has been speculation that the incident was provoked by the aircraft striking a flock of geese, but the idea that bird strike could knock out both engines has been dismissed as "unthinkable".

Accordingly, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), has said in its initial report that it would focus on "the range of aircraft systems that could influence engine operation", while examining all possible causes.

The Boeing 777's computer system has in the past caused a few scares. In 2005, it decided to suddenly reduce a Malaysia Airlines aircraft's speed from 270 knots to 158 knots and put it into a 3,000ft climb. The pilot prevented a disasterous stall by turning off the autopilot and pushing the nose down. Over the Atlantic last year, another aircraft was suddenly thrown to the right by the computer, again obliging the pilot to disengage the autopilot.

chuck wrote:

JPH wrote:If it is realised the crew made mistakes then B.A would have mud on their face & that would be something they would try to avoid at all costs, especially now. Interesting.

It wouldn't be any worse than if B.A. kept silent and then it turns out it was the crew's fault. At least now the crew is credited with character to offset any technical flaw.

chuck wrote:I bet 5 to 1 the problems were with fuel management system. Other problems can't explain near simultaneous failure of 2 engines without warning to the pilots after successful operation during long flight.

JPH wrote:If it is realised the crew made mistakes then B.A would have mud on their face & that would be something they would try to avoid at all costs, especially now. Interesting.

RNfanDan wrote:It's Bush's fault. He secretly approved a back-room deal with the Chinese to allow all their leaded toy paint to be disposed of by mixing into aircraft fuel supplies.

Werner wrote:Fuel is no more or less likely than a failure in a multiple redundent system that has flown for perhaps a few thousand flight-years since the 777 was introduced.

RNfanDan wrote:It's Bush's fault. He secretly approved a back-room deal with the Chinese to allow all their leaded toy paint to be disposed of by mixing into aircraft fuel supplies.

Werner wrote:Fuel is no more or less likely than a failure in a multiple redundent system that has flown for perhaps a few thousand flight-years since the 777 was introduced.

The fact that 90% or so of all airplane crashes are human failures makes me suspicious.

Werner wrote:Sloppy quality assurance at the Beijing fuel depot?