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Failed Avionics a Possible Cause of BA038 Crash

Muhammar writes "As you may have heard by now, both engines of the Boeing 777 aircraft flight BA038 suddenly cut off without warning at very low altitude and low speed during autopilot-assisted landing at Heathrow. A prompt reaction of the pilots prevented the stall and saved all lives aboard. The crash landing short of the runway tore off the landing gear on impact, and the fuselage plowed a long, deep gouge in the grass. With the investigation ongoing, the available information points to an electronic control problem as the most likely cause of the sudden engine power loss."

25 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. terrists? by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm sure the CIA will make "unofficial" statements shortly saying that they have credible evidence that it was Iranian terrists behind the whole thing.

    --
    This guy's the limit!
    1. Re:terrists? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Terr*or*ists! Or is it the same as with alumin*i*um?

    2. Re:terrists? by Hrdina · · Score: 4, Funny

      Actually, it's more like "nucular", "gubmint", and "librul".

    3. Re:terrists? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Actually, it's more like "nucular", "gubmint", and "librul". I wish all you right-wing nut jobs would quit picking on Jimmy Carter like that.
  2. BA are extremely happy about the crash by Malevolent+Tester · · Score: 5, Funny

    They actually have a decent excuse for lost luggage for once.

    --
    If you haven't made a developer cry, you've wasted a day.
  3. Airplane Operating Systems by Alien54 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "It might be premature to say that a software problem is the likely cause of failure..."

    Unless it was running on an OS like Windows for Aircraft, "now with fewer crashes".

    Yes, I know it's all custom designed. But thinking about the infamous Windows for Warships I couldn't resist

    --
    "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
    1. Re:Airplane Operating Systems by Alien54 · · Score: 3, Funny

      unfortunately I can't mod up your reply to my comment.

      But the idea of Windows for Airplanes is something that would strike fear into many a person's heart. Would you trust your aircraft to Windows for Airplanes?

      Or your helicopter to Windows for Helicopters?

      --
      "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
    2. Re:Airplane Operating Systems by Alien54 · · Score: 4, Funny

      2nd thought:

      The Knowledge Base reports on Flight Simulator are scary enough as it is.....

      the rest of the scenario writes itself

      --
      "It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
    3. Re:Airplane Operating Systems by DMoylan · · Score: 2, Funny

      > But thinking about the infamous Windows for Warships I couldn't resist

      that explains the recent recruitment advert. i saw it first on theregister before christmas and thought it was a joke till i saw it on tv.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDHPCr5m4ko

      don't you feel safer knowing that they are using windows on expensive weapon platforms? you couldn't pay me to get on a sub with windows involved.

    4. Re:Airplane Operating Systems by MiniMike · · Score: 2, Funny

      Maybe somebody uploaded a pirated copy of 'Windows for Gliders'...

    5. Re:Airplane Operating Systems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "Increase engine output? Cancel or Allow" ... oops!.. Too late.

  4. Damnit! by DoofusOfDeath · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now we're all going to be forced to re-learn Ada!

    1. Re:Damnit! by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 3, Funny

      I read it was actually MIX machine code converted directly to Java byte code by a drunken leprechaun.
      Wikipedia is an awesome source.

  5. Re:Software? by Technician · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it is a software problem, then expect more public scrutiny of software based machinery.

    That is not likely. More likely is they had a glitch from a strong RF field someplace. Knowing the timing, it is likely to be either a radar or other high power beam or a very near lower powered source such as a cell phone inside the farady cage. Very likely the radio source is from something like this; **RING** **RING** "Hi hon, we are landing now.. Oh no, somethings wrong.."

    --
    The truth shall set you free!
  6. Typical by pyrrhonist · · Score: 4, Funny

    Once such a procedure was set, the plane would continue under automatic control until it reached an altitude of 250ft. Then a female computer voice would say, "Decide."

    It's uncanny how they made the flight control system sound just like my wife.

    As Coward stared at the controls, the autothrottle demanded more thrust.

    That's a feature that is sadly lacking, though.

    --
    Show me on the doll where his noodly appendage touched you.
  7. Re:Patience by caffeinemessiah · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let's just wait for the official forensics rather than patched together rumours shall we?
    Um...what are you doing on /. then? Seriously though, this is the place to come for some relatively informed speculation (see for example comments by the jet maintenance guy earlier in the thread).
    --
    An old-timer with old-timey ideas.
  8. Re:Patience by JavaTHut · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let's just wait for the official forensics rather than patched together rumours shall we?
    You must be new here ...
  9. Re:Software? by TheLink · · Score: 2, Funny

    Well I hope they didn't outsource the coding to 5 different software companies in India who then in turn outsource it to the same subcontractor :).

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  10. I found the bug by bradgoodman · · Score: 3, Funny
    It was a regular-'ol "single equals" bug:

    if (engines = OFF) {
    PrepareForCrash();
    }
  11. Re:Are cables safer? by Linker3000 · · Score: 2, Funny

    So how many airlines are still flying the De Havilland DH-50 anyway!?

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    AT&ROFLMAO
  12. Not avionics, it was another problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The problem was not computers. After extensive investigation, the authorities
    have released what actually caused the accident. The evidence is clearly visible
    in these pictures:

    http://www.heathrowpictures.com/pictures/images/picturegallery_baw_b772_gymmm20.jpg

    The cause for the engine problems is massive ingestion of dirt. The manuals clearly
    specify that the engines need to be run on air, not dirt. Even small quantities
    of dirt can cause loss of power.

  13. No, I'm New Here by New+Here · · Score: 0, Funny

    No, I'm New Here

  14. Made by Diebold? by Hognoxious · · Score: 3, Funny

    Their outputs are collected and examined by a voter
    That's OK then, we all know that computers couldn't possibly have any problems counting votes.
    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  15. Re:Software? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Very likely the radio source is from something like this; **RING** **RING** "Hi hon, we are landing now.. Oh no, somethings wrong.."

    obTWW:
    "We're flying in a Lockheed Eagle Series L-1011. Came off the line twenty months ago. Carries a Sim-5 transponder tracking system, and you're telling me I can still flummox this thing with something I bought at Radio Shack?"
  16. Re:Are the pilots heros? by arth1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Good airmanship" would be more apropos.

    Yes, but it doesn't make for as a striking newspaper headline as Coward the Hero!.