Originally Posted by index

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

Hate on hater, hate on, but I agree with this

Release #13.39
July 11, 2013

ALPA Reaffirms Commitment to Finding All Factors in Crash of Asiana Flight 214

WASHINGTON—As contributing factors continue to be discovered in the Asiana Flight 214 accident investigation, ALPA again warns about the dangers of speculation based on incomplete data. Today, the NTSB revealed that the pilot flying the aircraft was blinded by a flash of light only seconds before the crash. It also has been reported that the autothrottles may have malfunctioned.

ALPA fully supports open, objective, and thorough investigations with the goal of finding all factors involved in the accident, not simply the most convenient to identify quickly. Anything less must not be tolerated.

“ALPA, like other organizations with airline safety as a bedrock value, views any accident involving an airline aircraft with a single objective – finding every link in the complex chain of events leading to the accident so that mitigations can be put in place to keep such an accident from happening again,” said ALPA president, Capt. Lee Moak. “Clearly, with decades of experience and tens of thousands of flight hours on the flight deck in multiple airline aircraft, a well-rested, fully qualified professional airline flight crew does not set out to fly into a seawall. The key question remains, why did events unfold as they did?”

The hazard of laser illumination of airline cockpits has been recognized as potentially disastrous, and commercially available lasers continue to grow in both power and popularity among those oblivious to the potential danger. If aircraft arriving in San Francisco are being targeted, or if some other light source is creating a distraction to the pilots of arriving aircraft at low altitude, identifying that hazard is critical.

Similarly, determining the second-by-second status of the autothrottles, a key element in speed control, must also be a priority. Proper, appropriate operation of all aircraft automation needs to be verified, and any deviations from standard procedures and operations thoroughly and promptly investigated. If a mechanical deficiency, a training deficiency, or other problem exists, that must be detected promptly and examined thoroughly in order to develop a remedy.

Another issue receiving little attention is the effect of the ongoing construction on and around Runway 28L. The NTSB has commented on the lack of an instrument landing system (ILS) on that runway as a result of the construction. Availability of multiple accurate vertical guidance cues, particularly when landing at an airport with which a pilot may not be familiar, is critical to pilots. The absence of this capability must be further evaluated, as should the availability of other external cues.

“As we recognize the testament to safety represented by the survival of nearly every occupant of the aircraft, and as we remain mindful of the victims and their loved ones, we also recognize the aviation safety community’s responsibility to investigate every possible aspect of the operation leading up to the accident with the singular goal of preventing a recurrence,” said Moak.

Originally Posted by NERD

Called in sick yesterday. First sick call for the new cycle and 2nd in last 9+ months(called in march or april but prior to that it was late summer early fall of 2012). Have had 3 calls from a 404 # with no msg left. First call was less than 1 hr after calling in. 2nd call an hour later and another about 15 mins ago, again no msg. Has anyone else had this happen and why won't they leave a recorded msg? Already talked to a rep yesterday after first call.

Originally Posted by Purple Drank

Any updates?
What did your rep say?

It's clear the company is conducting an intimidation campaign.

The number of pilots flying sick will skyrocket due to the "protections" ALPA sold us in this contract.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

Is that similar to you being intimidated into always having the AP/FD/AT on?

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

Dude, take off the anti-ALPA blinders. You have speculated as much as anyone else on here and are part of the problem with this HuffPo mentality to take information and post speculative reasons for the crash without all the information. The data does not belong to the people, the truth does. The truth will come after the investigation and with the final report.

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

You are willing to give up the right to due process for pilots in order to expedite partial data points that have not been verified, nor checked by the other parties (Boeing/P&W) invited to the crash because you say the citizens have a right to the data as soon as it comes out? I assume you have a poll to back up "The vast majority of citizens agree with her decision to release everything as it's compiled."

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

You're way off the mark on this one because you hate ALPA.

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

You don't see that this is setting the stage for the rest of the world to do the same thing? The court of public opinion and the main stream turned tabloid press are costing people jobs. The same NTSB is the one that publicly vilified NWA 188 before the investigation was complete. Babbit was illegally tested by the police, but it didn't stop the press and pilots on here from bashing him.

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

Information should be released but only in context.

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

Come on, man!

Now there's talk of frickin laser beams... "We really don't know what it could have been," Hersman said. "We need to look into it. We need to understand what he's talking about."

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

We don't know because the investigation is still unfolding. You don't release murder investigation results daily into the press, you release a complete picture when you've finished the investigation. I guess we'll be seeing you on CNN as the TOD aviation expert upon retiring?

Originally Posted by Purple Drank

I take it you (in no particular order):
- Feel Delta has provided us the tools/culture/guidance that enables us to proficiently hand fly with the ATs and FDs off
- Feel the "good faith" sick call provision as currently written (and enforced) is adequate

Originally Posted by finis72

Yes and yes but then I don't wear a tin foil hat and imagine black heliocopters buzzing my house. You are still my most unimportant person, keep up the good work.

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

Sure that directs attention towards the flight deck but so what? On the flip side of the coin should the NTSB have a gag rule imposed such that the engines had not responded properly the NTSB would vow to say nothing pending the completion of a 12+ investigation? What if another 777 crashed in a week in a similar manner?

Originally Posted by bigbusdriver

Interesting fact that ICAO has mandated FOQA but the FAA has not.