Discovery channel: Plane Crash

[mx5er]

Anybody catch this show?



Crazy. One significant find was that bracing for crash position is safer than just sitting upright.

I would have liked to see if at least one seat mounted backwards to see if that safer than sitting facing forward. I recall rearward facing seats showcased in a future airline concept a while back. In the Navy's C-2A Greyhound, all the passengers face backwards. And I also believe the same thing in the C-5 Galaxy in the upper passenger deck. I would think sitting backward during a cat launch will be very uncomfortable since your body will be hurled away from the seat. But I guess that's why passengers are held in their seats with a racing style 5 point harness. But, I'm also guessing that landing is more harsh hence the rear facing seating position?

One thing I noticed after watching the program was that, no one from the NTSB was there One of the experts in the show was just credited as a "crash investigator". I would think the NTSB would be all over this b/c it's practically their job. But I'm sure when the study is published, the NTSB would be studying it.

[Tornado2dr]

atching the program was that, no one from the NTSB was there One of the experts in the show was just credited as a "crash investigator". I would think the NTSB would be all over this b/c it's practically their job. But I'm sure when the study is published, the NTSB would be studying it.

I've got to guess that maybe NTSB just didn't want to be on-camera? It seems crazy that nobody would be there.

[mx5er]

I've been watching the series Air Disasters on The Smithsonian channel and testimony from ex and current NTSB personal were interviewed.

[Tornado2dr]

I've been watching the series Air Disasters on The Smithsonian channel and testimony from ex and current NTSB personal were interviewed.

Yeah, I've seen that. Still, in order for my head not to explode I have to assume that someone with a brain was sent to this, I'm sure that there were all sorts of hoops to go thru to get approval to purposely crash an operational plane.

[ATL_Av8r]

I've been watching the series Air Disasters on The Smithsonian channel and testimony from ex and current NTSB personal were interviewed.

You sure they're current? Thinking back on all the crash investigation shows I watch (I have this one DVRed, but the wife doesn't want to watch it, so I haven't watched it yet), it seems that they always make it a point to say "former" NTSB investigator or something like that. It's got to be some sort of policy. I can see them not wanting 1 single person on camera being seen as the voice of the entire NTSB in case they mis-spoke or there was some dissention or personal interjection that didn't exactly jive with the official NTSB conclusion.

Just a thought.

[Surf Green]

I've got to guess that maybe NTSB just didn't want to be on-camera?

Most likely this.

Disco crews are really good at getting you to go off script. The only way to avoid it, is to not show up.

[USN_JeepWK]

I would have liked to see if at least one seat mounted backwards to see if that safer than sitting facing forward. I recall rearward facing seats showcased in a future airline concept a while back. In the Navy's C-2A Greyhound, all the passengers face backwards. And I also believe the same thing in the C-5 Galaxy in the upper passenger deck. I would think sitting backward during a cat launch will be very uncomfortable since your body will be hurled away from the seat. But I guess that's why passengers are held in their seats with a racing style 5 point harness. But, I'm also guessing that landing is more harsh hence the rear facing seating position?

Yup, except for the pilots, FE, NAV, and TACCO on a P-3, everyone else sits facing aft. I'm sure its much safer. Its a shame airlines never picked the concept up. Though I'd think that the majority of the traveling public (even some knowing the benefits of facing aft) would choose to face forward. And airlines probably see that as too big of a risk to be different.

[mx5er]

You sure they're current?

I'm pretty sure current NTSB investigators were interviewed. But then again, most of the crashes profiled in the series happened many years ago and the investigators are not with the agency anymore.

[J-Tim]

Probably one of the better shows on Discovery channel. At least it didn't have that guy doing over-dramatic voice over.

[B3sat16v]

My problem with this show is that a lot of accidents do not just happen this way. This was very controlled on a flat, desert area. If the Pilots were aware (i.e. lost power and the a/c was actually piloted). They would have set a nice minimum descent A/S and even flare at the bottom to control the descent rate and the a/c impact would have been a lot less severe.

[dubjager]

Really great to see this show... obviously not a common accident scenario, but nonetheless it can tell us a lot about what happens...

Also, how many 727s are still in operation? Aside from within the African continent?

[WeenerBoy]

finally saw this show.. thanks tivo lol

this scenario doesnt happen often, but the data acquired will definitely help for future safety, but i have a feeling it may be ignored..?

[87vr6]

Also, how many 727s are still in operation? Aside from within the African continent?

More than a few it seems:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_727#Operators

[duke of chucchinchilla]

More than a few it seems:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_727#Operators

Probably one of the few US-based 727 flights you can still book....although it's not your typical flight.

http://www.gozerog.com/

[capthowdy_1968]

My skipper sat in the FE seat for the 727. He is a current Fed Ex pilot and a Naval reserve P-3 pilot. Jerry Dearie.

[J-Tim]

Used to see a DHL 722F flying out of Sydney not that long ago... a noisy and smokey little bastard that was!
Looks like it's gone now...