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Boeing's 737 is indisputably the most popular and arguably the safest commercial airliner in the world. But the plane had a lethal flaw, and only after several disastrous crashes and years of painstaking investigation was the mystery of its rudder failure solved. This book tells the story of how engineers and scientists finally uncovered the defect that had been engineered into the plane.
List of contents
One 585.- 1 The Unfriendly Skies.- 2 Tin Kickers.- 3 Looking for Answers.- 4 Reconstructing the Wind.- 5 We Have a Problem.- Two 427.- 6 Out of the Sky.- 7 "A Target Has Disappeared".- 8 Situation: Non-Normal.- 9 Pumps and Valves.- 10 Secrets of the Flight Data Recorder.- 11 The First Public Hearing.- 12 Human Factors.- 13 Atlantic City.- 14 Jim Hall Steps in.- 15 Human Factors Revisited.- Three 517 and After.- 16 The Eastwind Incident.- 17 Boeing on the Hook.- 18 Reversals.- z9 Submissions.- Chapter20 Findings.- 2I Epilogue.
Summary
Boeing's 737 is indisputably the most popular and arguably the safest commercial airliner in the world. But the plane had a lethal flaw, and only after several disastrous crashes and years of painstaking investigation was the mystery of its rudder failure solved. This book tells the story of how engineers and scientists finally uncovered the defect that had been engineered into the plane.
Additional text
From the reviews:
"It’s a book about hi-tech sleuths racing against time and looming danger to solve an unfathomable mystery: why commercial airliners in seemingly perfect working order flipped over and fell from the sky. Author Byrne manages this in a style that is both suspenseful and educational … . Highly recommended for anyone interested in technology and/or aviation … ." (Wordtrade.com, Issue 1, 2003)
"Byrne, an internationally recognized science journalist, has crafted a detailed, compelling chronicle about solving the riddles of an airline disaster. … Byrne probes the engineering variables, corporate politics, and federal bureaucracies that characterized the investigation of these incidents. … Highly recommended. All levels." (R. E. Bilstein, Choice, January, 2003)
"In 1994, a commercial jetliner crashed on its approach to Pittsburgh International Airport … . British science writer Byrne investigates why it took so long to uncover and disclose the rare but lethal design flaw in the Boeing 737. Intelligently written, drawing in readers without dwelling on the stories of the victims, the narrative instead focuses on the technology and the politics involved." (SciTech Book News, December, 2002)
Report
From the reviews:
"It's a book about hi-tech sleuths racing against time and looming danger to solve an unfathomable mystery: why commercial airliners in seemingly perfect working order flipped over and fell from the sky. Author Byrne manages this in a style that is both suspenseful and educational ... . Highly recommended for anyone interested in technology and/or aviation ... ." (Wordtrade.com, Issue 1, 2003)
"Byrne, an internationally recognized science journalist, has crafted a detailed, compelling chronicle about solving the riddles of an airline disaster. ... Byrne probes the engineering variables, corporate politics, and federal bureaucracies that characterized the investigation of these incidents. ... Highly recommended. All levels." (R. E. Bilstein, Choice, January, 2003)
"In 1994, a commercial jetliner crashed on its approach to Pittsburgh International Airport ... . British science writer Byrne investigates why it took so long to uncover and disclose the rare but lethal design flaw in the Boeing 737. Intelligently written, drawing in readers without dwelling on the stories of the victims, the narrative instead focuses on the technology and the politics involved." (SciTech Book News, December, 2002)
