Plane's tail falls off (?) while landing at SFO - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brian Carlton · #1 07-09-2013, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

The part I do not understand is what was the co-pilot doing and what were the other two pilots doing assuming they were in the cockpit as well.

The co-pilot was flying the aircraft.

Your real question is what was the Captain doing? Why didn't he take the aircraft and do a go-around. That is the question.................

Skid Row Joe · #2 07-09-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can't Know

I'm puzzled. What bearing does this have on the issues?

Even assuming your depth perception is skewed, does that mean you can't read instruments...particularly airspeed and altitude?

And even if you think you are farther from the water than you actually are, wouldn't you still know that it's water under you, and not a runway?

Stark water would be a difference or distraction, similar to blacked out visuals in the night. They both can work against your sense of spatial orientation. I would think it difficult to overcome RE: the Kennedy boy got totally disoriented losing his perfectly functioning aircraft. Water, darkness, and no land-based lights for orientation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

The co-pilot was flying the aircraft.

Your real question is what was the Captain doing? Why didn't he take the aircraft and do a go-around. That is the question.................

One report stated the co-pilot with more hours in the 777, was training the less experienced Captain. I do know this - one guy is to be fixed on the instruments, calling out what he hears and sees, and the guy flying has the throttles and yoke - looking out the windshield. The report stated the co-pilot (more experienced with the model aircraft) didn't notice that the Captain was not advancing the throttles.

One must also be aware of the misjudgement and fear factor by co-pilots, that statistically 25% of the time, will let a Captain crash the airplane, rather than correct him.

Lots of factors to consider when unpacking the why of what factually happened, RE: human misjudgements

Me? I'd of let the aircraft take me to 50 feet +/- above the runway before clicking off the autopilot, and letting it drift to the ground quickly. Leave the training involving landing manually missions to doing it without passengers on board. Coming in low and slow, not good.

davidmash · #3 07-09-2013, 05:46 PM

I'm thinking it was.