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Ask the pilot
There we were, hanging sideways in the sky just a few feet from death. Never before had I seen the ground from such a terrifying perspective. What happened?
By Patrick Smith [2006-11-10]
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  • Happened to me on my first solo

    I was in a 172 at Brackett in Pomona, CA taking off behind a twin when I was suddenly rolled 45 degrees. I thought my instructor would never let me solo again! Let me tell ya, my copilot was of no help whatsoever.

    I think I've seen you say twice now that the pilots of 587 overreacted thereby bending their plane. I find it curious that you apparently blame them. As just a general aviation pilot with not a whole lot of time (and all of it more than 15 years ago), I would think that if they were traveling at a low airspeed, a properly designed aircraft wouldn't be bent beyond repair. Maybe the rudder should stall, but break apart?

    -- jerry
    Friday, November 10, 2006 09:55 PM

  • A300 preexisting tailplane/rudder faults.

    Patrick,

    if I may say so, you are beating the dead aluminium horse on a weekly basis. As per the official inquest and examination the A300 of the flight AA587 had a totally functional tailplane, a fact that to me signals either one of two outcomes: an end to all speculation, or a deep distrust in the NSTB.

    Then, with how much sensitivity precisely the pilot handling the plane was applying his command authority over the failed tailplane is well illustrated if you click this link: http://www.ntsb.gov/events/2001/AA587/wake_turb_web01.wmv

    -- Jarmo Puntanen
    Sunday, November 12, 2006 11:36 AM

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