pilot techniques
What are some of the questions investigators will ask pilots and air traffic controllers about the Delta Flight 4819 crash landing?
Investigators will focus on why the plane landed nose-first, which is contrary to proper landing technique where the back wheels touch first. A Delta pilot consulted by the correspondent raised several key questions: Could visibility issues have prevented the pilot from seeing the runway properly? Were weather conditions a factor in the crash? Was there a mechanical problem with the landing gear? These questions are critical as officials analyze what caused this unusual landing approach that fortunately resulted in no fatalities among the 80 passengers.
Watch clip answer (00:44m)
CBS News
00:58 - 01:42
Who is Daniel Elwell and what makes him qualified to analyze this emergency landing incident?
Daniel Elwell is a former FAA deputy and acting administrator with extensive aviation expertise. His qualifications include experience as both an Air Force pilot and commercial pilot, giving him a comprehensive understanding of flight operations and safety protocols. This wealth of experience makes Elwell uniquely positioned to analyze the emergency landing incident from multiple perspectives - regulatory, military, and commercial aviation. His background enables him to provide authoritative insights into the technical aspects of the landing as well as the operational and safety implications.
Watch clip answer (00:18m)
Fox News
00:00 - 00:19
Was there a clear error by pilots or controllers in the aircraft landing mishap?
According to Daniel Elwell, former FAA Deputy Administrator, it's too early to definitively assign error in this incident. The aircraft was dealing with what appears to be a 27-knot direct crosswind, which is at the aircraft's crosswind limit. Based on available information, it remains unclear whether this limit was actually met or exceeded during the approach. The controller provided wind information to the pilots as they approached the runway, but Elwell cannot determine from the available evidence whether decision-making errors occurred. This situation highlights the complex interplay between weather conditions, aircraft limitations, and real-time decision-making that pilots and controllers navigate during challenging landing scenarios.
Watch clip answer (00:45m)Fox News
01:08 - 01:53
What happens when an aircraft lands in gusty crosswind conditions?
In gusty and windy conditions, pilots must modify standard landing procedures. Typically, when landing, pilots cross the threshold, pull the throttles, and begin to flare the aircraft before touchdown. However, during crosswinds, pilots apply cross-control techniques by keeping the upwind wing down to prevent drifting - visible in the video where the right wing is lowered. The aircraft in this instance appears to have landed without executing a proper flare, which is unusual. A flare is normally part of the landing sequence to smoothly transition from descent to touchdown. This modification of landing technique is a necessary adaptation to maintain control when dealing with strong crosswinds, though the particular landing discussed seems to have missed this critical step.
Watch clip answer (00:43m)Fox News
01:54 - 02:38
What factors contributed to the aircraft landing upside down on the tarmac?
The incident appears to have occurred during challenging wind conditions, with a reported 27-knot crosswind approaching the aircraft's crosswind limit. Daniel Elwell noted that the aircraft impacted without performing a proper flare (the normal landing procedure of pulling back on controls to raise the nose before touchdown), while maintaining a bank angle to compensate for crosswinds. Multiple factors may have contributed, including possible flight control issues, flap or slat problems, and extremely gusty conditions. Elwell emphasized it's too early to assign blame, as a full understanding of the wind conditions and aircraft dynamics is still needed. Despite the severity of the crash, the quick response of first responders and the skill of the flight crew prevented fatalities.
Watch clip answer (02:21m)
Fox News
00:34 - 02:55
What was the reaction to the upside-down plane incident on the tarmac?
The incident involving an upside-down plane on the tarmac elicited profound shock and disbelief. Martha MacCallum described it as a 'stunning situation' and 'extraordinary,' noting that while passengers often have fleeting thoughts about landing mishaps, actually seeing such an event materialize is unprecedented. The news anchor expressed how this incident represents a scenario many travelers momentarily worry about but never truly expect to witness. Despite occasional passenger anxieties during landings, the reality of seeing an aircraft completely inverted on the runway remains beyond what most people could imagine happening in commercial aviation.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)Fox News
02:55 - 03:08