Re: cali accident and the Brown accident

Terry (tep01_at_earthlink.net)
Mon, 27 Jan 1997 17:54:07 -0500

The two accidents are comparable because in both cases, situational
awareness was the key. Neither crew knew their position relative to the
approach, consequently, hit a hard place. Situational awareness is
extremely important on a non-precision approach, such as a NDB or VOR
approach into a mountainous environment. The Air Force B737was NOT
equipped with two ADF receivers, but initiated an approach that required
transitioning from an initial NDB to a second, essentially on the field.
They never made this transition. In addition weather minimums were
somewhat questionable at the time.

It makes no difference the technology, one must still be aware of HARD SPOTS!

Terry Phillips
tep01_at_earthlink.net
At 16:11 1/27/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>I am sure that since as I am led to believe that the airforce 737 involoved
>in the accident did not even have a CVR or a FDR it would also be equipped
>with your old type gauges.
>
>Situational awareness is very low in my opinion during an NDB approach
specialy
>during windy condition, in which head or tail wind might drasticly alter the
>ground speed at which the aircraft if flying at.
>
>NDB approaches that are not complemented by a DME or number of fixes\radial
>of near my VOR would create such a highmargin of lack of situational
>awarness specialy taking into consideration that an NDB will only let you
>how far you are from it when you cross it.
>
>I do not mean to take any attention away from the cali crash, but I think
>anytime a plane hits a mountain a voice in the pilots head must at one point
>have said are we? and due to lack of situational awarness it was either too
>late to react and correct, or a false signal was sent to the pilots and they
>continued on it, or how bad can the reslut be syndrom\ how far off can we
>really be???
>
>Tareq
>
>>The 737 accident with Brown is indeed a good case to compare to the Cali
>>incident. It was, I believe, a steam gauge aircraft. Situational awareness
>>seems to be more at the heart of the issue though. NDB approaches offer
>>particular difficulty to a good number of pilots. I wonder if this was a
>>factor in the 737 accident. (This one I have not read the report on)
>>--
>>Donald Anders Talleur email: dtalleur_at_uiuc.edu
>>Institute of Aviation- Willard Airport
>>Aviation Research Laboratory- 244-8687
>>Pilot Training- 244-8606
>>
>>If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything!
>>(Bill Lyon: Philadelphia)
>>
>>
>
>
>