Air Disaster (Vol. 2)

Rating:
Summary: No Blame
Review: The point of these books is MaCarthurs view that to pin point the cause of a disaster it is counter productive to blame an individual. It takes a number of steps for a disaster to happen. If any of these steps are interrupted the disaster may be averted. He also shows the case for cockpit resource management (CRM) that is, how to use the skills of all to best advantage. CRM is starting to flow into fields such as medicine (So the surgeon pays attention to the nurse telling him his about to cut of the wrong leg).

Rating:
Summary: Understanding 2
Review: The second, and larger, edition in the Air Disaster format places us in some of the more difficult to understand disasters that have taken place. The central subject being the Douglas DC10 and the two major disasters that nearly ended it's career as a passenger liner, first the American Airlines O'Hare disaster, which of course was the result of negligence on the part of maintainance lazyness. I wonder if those who changed the engines that way before that tragic day can live with themselves today.

The second DC10 incident is the tragic Air New Zealand Antarctic sightseeing flight. Human error and the events leading up to the aircraft's demise are explained in great detail but there are still to many unanswered questions.

Another incident tells of the epic and heroic actions by the pilots of the now famous Japan Airlines 747SR flight that became the worlds worst single airliner disaster.

To ease the tension the author has included the British Airways flight that flew through a volcanic cloud over Java in 1983, the one flight that got away with it.

Once again Macarther Job has done well on a subject that is still very much taboo for many people.

Rating:
Summary: Continuing success story
Review: This second volume is perhaps even better than the first. Technology has allowed the collection of more data from more recent accidents, allowing the author to truly delve into the details of the selected accidents.

Some say it's like watching a train wreck, you just can't look away. I think it's more of a knowledge is power series - those who may fear flying may gain a sense of security from the detail and the true infrequency of these events - plus from the amazing detail and dedication shown in the investigation of each incident and application to the airline industry.