Jet aircraft are built to define the word safe-and many people may agree. Based off what I know so far, they are safe because of the way they are aerodynamically designed, that they have accurate navigational and aircraft in-flight stability instruments that have been improved over the decades. Additionally, 90 percent of all jet aircraft, especially commercial aircraft can fly safely in a mode most of us are familiar with called auto pilot. However, they may also argue that the structure of these jet aircraft is complex. It's true. they have to be. And because these aircraft are so complex-just like a human body itself is, an aircraft isn't perfect and may have design or mechanical flaws that need attention.
Both in the past and recently, aircraft like the 757 and Airbus have on rare incidents experienced wiring deficiencies in the cockpit, causing toxic fumes to leak out and on some incidents, break glass. In and outside the US in the past some pilots have had to make forced landings because of the fumes. As feared by the NTSB, no matter how many incidents in the past with various airlines have suffered from fumes entering the cockpit, I believe the risk potential can suddenly become very high if we continue to sit back and not do anything about it. The NTSB's safety recommendations have yet to be enforced by the FAA, which to me is very worrisome (Knudson, 2008, para 6). It's stated in one UK article that the fumes that might enter any 757 isn't high enough to present any significant health risks (Barret, 2006, para 17). However, some disagree. No matter what the real cause of the fumes in all the incidents that have been left in the dark for so long, it's still a threat to flight safety.
Think about it, no matter how much of a health to risk this problem with some of the cock pits really is and no matter how many incidents were really caused by the deficiency, we can't sit back and allow these aircraft to risk having the same problems with fumes in the cockpit. Since 2004, the industry is luckily looking into this problem more thoroughly than before.
In another article by CNN, it states that again the FAA has overlooked the significance of their duty as what I often think of them as 'the people that make safety regulations to keep the airlines inline and and safe'. "The latest concerns about planes follow a CNN report last month that an FAA supervisor allowed Southwest Airlines to postpone required safety inspections. After that report, Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minnesota, questioned whether FAA had changed from a watchdog to a lapdog. He said there was "a pendulum swing away from vigorous enforcement of regulatory compliance, toward a carrier-friendly, cozy relationship with the airlines" (Griffin and Jonston, 2008, para 24, 25). But it seems somehow even with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines (which rest assured will be discussed later), that they have some how become more 'relaxed' about less serious safety compromising threats.
Also stated in this article, it explains what the type of toxins the fumes are and where they think its located "The chemical name for the dangerous ingredient getting into passenger aircraft is triorthocresyl phosphate, more commonly known as TCP. It is an additive of engine oil used in commercial aircraft" (para 6). Just take a look at these three different incidents as posted on guardian.co.uk, The Observer.
1.) FlyBe, 8 December 2004
Flight crew became incapacitated. According to the CAA report into the incident, the first officer 'felt unwell (faint and breathless with shaking hands) and oxygen was administered for the last 20 minutes of flight'. The captain also had a headache with flu-like symptoms and was 'in a state of euphoria'. He had to land the plane single-handedly.
2.) Citiexpress, 25 July 2005
One flight crew member and two cabin attendants felt dizzy and unwell during take-off and cruise, according to the CAA. Oxygen given to one of cabin crew.
3.) British Airways, 31 August 2005
One pilot incapacitated during flight. CAA report spoke of 'abnormal smells' and the co-pilot allegedly suffered with headaches, had difficulty concentrating and focusing with spots before the eye, and experienced 'severe vomiting'.
If those incidents don't compromise safety enough because of one minor deficiency I don't know what does. I don't care how significant or insignificant the health risk involved is. What many pilots are concerned about (and from the standpoint of being one too), it does a have a high significance in affecting the pilot and co pilots' ability to fly the aircraft well. Look at all the different conditions these pilots and crew (and more) suffered. Because their ability to fly the aircraft safely was compromised, any number of distractions or skipping items on a checklist during any phase of site can drastically increase the safety of any flight.
What I still have trouble believing is why the FAA isn't being more forceful about this. To me, they're kind of like the police (or in a way should be). If something isn't right and impairs the safety of the community and its people, they need to step in and do something about the problem by making some rules and setting boundaries. Why, if you happen to wonder? Because it's their job is to do just that. I think in this case they have taken far too long in making sure these aircraft get the deficiencies checked and fixed as soon as possible, no matter how much it may cost the industry. Anyone who believes in further improving airliner safety would agree that this is definitely something important that we should not ignore. Also, I'm not the only one out there who agrees that these issues with cockpit fumes may one day cause an accident before we take some aggressive action.
However, no matter how far back this problem dates, this is the only flight safety compromising issues I've found so far. I would personally be curious to know if anyone has found anything else aside from what's happened with Southwest Airlines and the bankruptcy of Frontier and Aloha Airlines. Remember, this is a blog involving all aviation related observations I continue to make throughout my life. If anyone who reads this is unclear about anything, feel free to ask questions. All though this is for a college assignment, this is also a blog that I'm making out my own interest, any one is free to react to this blog.
As you can see, I had a lot to rant about regarding this particular issue. This issue supports the idea that while aircraft may be safe, they can only be as safe as we allow them to be. This issue also supports the main point of this particular entry, that aircraft are naturally complex. One little deficiency such as this may cause serious flight safety risks, as one can see from some of the handful of incidents that have occurred over the years. If we never fix the problem because of the cost or whatever the reason, it's OUR fault, not the aircraft's if an accident happens down the road. Take this issue away and one can see why yet again it is accurate to believe that lots of the aircraft out there are very safe. I'm definitely not denying the fact that this issue needs to be resolved and the FAA really needs to play their role right. The FAA needs to wake up and shape up.
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