The NTSB Investigation Continues, Boeing And Asiana Submit Their Opinions To The Board

All of us in aviation were stunned by the accident involving a Boeing 777 operating as  Asiana flight 214 in San Francisco in June of last year. It was clearly a case of a well proven airplane being flown by an airline trained crew flying in a controlled manner, yet they landing short of the runway by about one third of a mile. Added to this scenario is the fact that it was a visual approach and weather was obviously not a factor.

The NTSB has not issued its final report on this accident but it seems the key aspects of the investigation are aimed at two issues. Was it a case of pilot error or was there something in the auto-flight system that caused the accident?

According to a recent article published by the Seattle Times newspaper, Boeing lays the blame directly on the flight crew. The article stated that a Boeing document sent to the NTSB said that the accident, “… would have been avoided had the flight crew followed procedures.” The Boeing document continued, “This accident occurred due to the flight crew’s failure to monitor and control airspeed, thrust level and glide path.”

The article continues to say that the South Korean airline agrees to some extent with what Boeing says. However, Asiana also faulted the logic of the auto throttle system and the lack of adequate cockpit warnings that the airspeed was below safe limits.

While the NTSB continues to investigate and digest gained information, the FAA has already taken action to increase awareness of U.S. airlines for the need to address basic piloting skills in their training programs.

(Image provided by NTSB)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov