Brazil plane crash | Former NTSB investigator weighs in on possible cause of accident

Summary

The script recounts the speaker's 20-year experience with the National Transportation Safety Board, focusing on aircraft accidents, including the ATR 72 crash in 1994 due to icing. It delves into the ATR 72's design, regional carrier challenges, and potential causes for accidents, such as aerodynamic stalls and mechanical issues. The speaker emphasizes the importance of thorough investigation, considering factors like crew training, weight and balance, and the aircraft's mechanical soundness. The necessity of finding the 'black boxes' and the collaborative global approach to aviation safety is highlighted, stressing the need for methodical investigation to ensure the safety of air travel.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ The speaker has extensive experience investigating aviation accidents, including a specific ATR 72 crash in 1994 due to icing.
• 🛫 The ATR 72 is a regional twin-engine turboprop known for its speed and narrow wings, but has faced issues with icing in the past.
• ✈️ Regional carriers in the US moved ATR 72s to southern locations to avoid icing, but they have since returned with modifications.
• 🌪 The recent ATR 72 accident involved pitch oscillations leading to an aerodynamic stall and a rare flat spin.
• 📉 An aerodynamic stall is related to insufficient airflow over the wings, not engine issues, causing a loss of lift.
• 🔍 Investigators will examine weather conditions, mechanical issues, pilot training, and weight and balance changes as potential causes.
• 🛠 There are prescribed procedures for recovery from aerodynamic stalls and spins, which pilots are trained to follow.
• 🔄 The investigation will involve international cooperation, including technical advisors from France and possibly the US.
• 📊 Finding and analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder is crucial, but their data may be incomplete or corrupted.
• 🌐 Global airline safety standards are high, and the investigation aims to maintain the safest mode of transportation.
• ⏳ The investigation process will be thorough and methodical, with more information expected within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Q & A

What is the primary role of the speaker in the transcript?

The speaker is a former investigator at the National Transportation Safety Board with over 20 years of experience, having investigated various aviation accidents, including commercial and general aviation incidents.

What specific aircraft accident is mentioned in the transcript?

The ATR 72 crash in Roselawn, Indiana, in 1994 due to an icing event is mentioned.

Why were ATR 72 aircraft moved out of the United States in 1994?

They were moved to avoid icing events, which had caused a fatal crash, and later migrated back after fixes were made to the aircraft.

What does the ATR 72's aerodynamic stall signify in terms of the aircraft's performance?

An aerodynamic stall indicates that there is insufficient airflow over the wings to generate enough lift to support the airplane's weight, leading to a loss of altitude and control.

What factors could cause an aerodynamic stall?

Factors include flying too slow, where the wings cannot generate enough lift, or weather events like icing that disrupt smooth airflow over the wings.

What is the significance of the term 'flat spin' mentioned in the transcript?

A flat spin refers to a rare and dangerous situation where the airplane is not pointed downward but is in a flat attitude, falling straight down, often leading to a crash.

What are the prescribed recovery procedures for an aerodynamic stall?

Pilots are trained to follow specific procedures which may include neutralizing the spin, pushing the nose down further to regain wing airflow, and then gradually pulling the nose back up to level off the aircraft.

What role do the 'black boxes' play in an aircraft accident investigation?

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder provide critical data and voice recordings that help investigators understand the events leading up to the accident.

Why is it important to gather physical evidence from the aircraft wreckage?

Physical evidence is necessary to corroborate electronic data from the black boxes, especially if the data is incomplete or lost due to damage or power failure.

What international collaboration is expected in the investigation of the ATR 72 crash mentioned?

The investigation will likely involve Brazilian authorities, French as technical advisors due to the aircraft's origin, and possibly the United States due to resources and operation of similar aircraft.

How does the speaker describe the process of accident investigation?

The speaker describes the process as thorough and methodical, requiring the collection of all facts and circumstances, and an iterative questioning of 'why' to trace back to the root cause or contributing factors.

What challenges might be faced in the dissemination of information during an international aviation accident investigation?

Challenges include differences in how information is released by various countries, potential gaps in information, and the need to manage speculation and ensure that facts are accurately interpreted.