The throttles went to max because one of the pilots accidentally hit the TOGA button, so the auto throttles put them there. While we can never know for 100%, most likely the co pilot started experiencing a Somatogravic illusion. This is an illusion where acceleration feels like a pitch up, because to the inner ear they are the same. So in his mind they were pitching up, and the auto throttles were accelerating (in his mind, he thinks the airplane is slow, hence the throttle reaction, where in reality, the TOGA button was pressed) he was thinking the airplane was stalling, so he pushed the yoke forward. The thing is when you push the nose down, with full throttle, your Somatogravic illusion will worsen, because you are accelerating further, so he pushed down harder. This continued until they broke out of the clouds and saw the ground, and that is where they pulled back as far as they could. Unfortunately, too little too late. This comes back to instrument flying number 1...

(Written on 15/07/2020)(Permalink)

I will not disagree that Boeing screwed up. However, MCAS is not required for the aircraft to fly, or to be stable. MCAS is required to be able to keep the same type rating as earlier models. In order for a type rating to be kept, the aircraft must "feel the same" to a pilot flying it. (Additionally systems and flight deck set up must be similar as well) The Airlines pushed for a type that wouldn't require a new type rating. Boeing was just delivering what their customers wanted. BUT, Boeing rushed it, and screwed it up, and the FAA failed to provide adequate oversight, this is definitely a huge failure on several different entities. The airframe is safe, the handling characteristics are safe. Even the software would have been O.K. If Boeing would have told pilots about it! I'm confident this airplane will fly safely again for a long time.

(Written on 20/01/2020)(Permalink)

I also am of the opinion that there is NO way they were trying to turn off on a reverse high speed on snowy conditions. They appear to have begun to lost control long before they were at P4,

(Written on 15/11/2019)(Permalink)

When you hear "caution wake turbulence" this is what should run across your mind, beautiful to look at, not beautiful to fly through!

(Written on 21/10/2019)(Permalink)

I believe you can say Boeing is responsible and here is why. Yes, the airlines pressured manufacturers to create an aircraft that could be flown with the same type rating, to save money on training costs. Boeing then sold them aircraft that could be flown with the same type rating, but in the process of doing so they withheld information from them to ensure that the training requirement would be minimal. If Boeing said "this is the same type rating, but you need to make sure you train this, this and this..." and the airlines chose not to, then we'd be having a different discussion, but that wasn't the case. I will agree with you when you said "the feds have to sign off on everything" they got into Boeing's back pocket and failed to provide oversight. The FAA failed to do it's job.

(Written on 09/06/2019)(Permalink)

I think this article is just trying to stir people up, or create fear, or generate ratings, because when I read the preliminary NTSB report it certainly doesn't appear like inexperience caused this pilot error. "Shortly after, when the airplane’s indicated airspeed was steady about 230 knots, the engines increased to maximum thrust, and the airplane pitch increased to about 4° nose up. The airplane then pitched nose down over the next 18 seconds to about 49° in response to nose-down elevator deflection. The stall warning (stick shaker) did not activate." That last sentence speaks volumes in my mind "The stick shaker did not activate", maybe I'm incorrect and the 16,000 combined hours between then caused an issue in IMC, or something else caused them to lose focus on the airplane. However, I find that hard to believe, maybe we are looking for another "I" word, "intentional".

(Written on 22/03/2019)(Permalink)

So because Federal employees should have a rainy day fund, and because they get "superior" rates of pay (which I dispute but that's besides the point here) it's ok for people to be required to work and not get paid on time for it? What other industry in the world says to their employees "ya... You have to keep showing up... I'll pay you... But I'm not going to tell you when....it could be months or even years" that's insane. Whether there is a crisis at the boarder or not is up to everyone to decide on their own. DC is holding federal employees hostage as leverage to play their political game. That is wrong no matter what is happening south of us.

(Written on 13/01/2019)(Permalink)

Obviously this has been happening for awhile.. And with the exception of having to wait on an occupied gate like Ryan said. Is this really a bad thing? The last couple flights I've taken with Delta out of DTW we were 20 minutes early and didn't have to wait on a gate, it was great. This article is written as if this is a terrible monstrosity against the flying public, I just don't see it that way.

(Written on 27/08/2018)(Permalink)

This is so disappointing, no one can be content anymore, everyone walked away with their lives. Although this will probably never make it to court, they will all probably receive something when the airline and others realize it's cheaper to give them something and settle outside of court, which is why lawsuits keep getting filed.

(Written on 16/11/2016)(Permalink)

He didn't put a mandate in place, there always had been a law that prohibited federal employees from going on strike, hence the ability to fire all who did.

(Written on 09/10/2016)(Permalink)