Re: Human Factors in ETOPS
Sakuma_at_BDZ.crane.jal.co.jp
Thu, 14 May 98 16:27:49 +0900
Dear Don :
Thank you for your prompt response and for timely follow-up by Stewart-san.
I think I have to explain some further detail. Thanks to improved quality of
advanced technology turbine engines, we can fly two-engine jets on long
distance transoceanic routes under the specification of ETOPS regulations.
Currently, however, there is a movement in commercial aviation industry to
extend allowable time duration for one-engine inoperative flight over water
from 2-hours up to 3-hours. I am afraid this extension is based upon the
improvement of hardware quality and not of the human performance of related
personnel. In fact, there was at least one case where mechanic's failure to
install small O-ring on magnetic tip detecters on all 3 engines of L1011 has
caused total oil loss and resulted in all engines shutdown in
flight( eventually returned safely). Some of our pilots reported me of a
difficulty in identifying malfunctioning engine in training on 2-engine
airplanes because they cannot apply the rule of majority on this type of
airplane. I unofficially hear some major airline has initiated an action to
prepare for this kind of risks. Unfortunately I do not know the name of the
airline.
H.Sakuma, JAL
> I would be interested to know what the perceived risk is of a dual engine
> shutdown (one emergency and the other engine shut down by aaccident) is
> regards to the ETOPS discussion. I have a hard time believing this is likely
> to happen but, being an Instructor, I'm smart enough to realize that if you
> can think of something that might go wrong, it either has at some point or
> will in the future.
> Don
> --
> Donald Anders Talleur email: dtalleur_at_uiuc.edu
> Assistant Aviation Education Specialist/
> Assistant Chief Flight Instructor
> Institute of Aviation- Willard Airport
> Aviation Research Laboratory- 244-8687
> Pilot Training- 244-8606
> Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up
> their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn
> up at all! (Sam Ewing)