Just a thought inspired by some recent remarks here.
As a pilot, do you ever think about the aparent tendancy to blame the (often deceased) operator when it all goes wahooni shaped in aviation?
I’ve lost count of the number of accidents when factor 72b part two weighed in and the poor driver copped it. Report readers (who failed to stop at a red light and missed the table with a coffee cup earlier) then say “Well of course he / she should have realised that the wind had swung 180 deg and the earthquake had changed the direction of the runway”.. with the implication that they deserved to die for such an oversight.
I’d rather be better remembered than that.
(NB: I’m Not a pilot, just interested…)
Your thoughts?
By: mike currill - 17th July 2004 at 19:20
i.e. the same thing the Police say about RTA’s – they don’t happen they are caused
By: JDK - 17th July 2004 at 04:32
Thanks for the input Paul.
By: Paul Rix - 17th July 2004 at 04:18
The fact is that a high proportion of accidents come down to something the pilot did/did not do or a bad decision.
That does not mean that other factors do not contribute to accidents, but often, despite external contributions, a lot of accidents could have been avoided if the pilot had handled the situation differently.
By: JDK - 16th July 2004 at 22:52
the AAIB will always put it down to pilot error
In the accident reports I’ve had the job of reviewing (Mosquito, P-38, Ryan NYP rep) the AAIB have been very good at NOT putting it down to pilot error. In the case of the P-38 accident, they went to great pains to look for alternative explanations, including a jammed multi-tool theory.
Are you sure you aren’t blaming the AAIB for other’s failings? They seemed to me to be the exception to the rule.
Perhaps a specific example rather than a general rumble of discontent, chaps?
By: EwenT - 16th July 2004 at 22:19
I only wish I was not so cynical about government organisations but I’ve been around long enough to realise that is the only realistic thing to do.
You’re not alone Mike 😀
By: mike currill - 16th July 2004 at 22:05
I’ve always had the impression that, if the pilot is not alive to defend him(or her)self, the AAIB will always put it down to pilot error in order to close the file quickly. I only wish I was not so cynical about government organisations but I’ve been around long enough to realise that is the only realistic thing to do.
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July 16, 2004 at 8:57 pm