Language
Country/Area
No result found
Loss of control in the air: Why pilots can't save flights during storms?
On January 25, 2010, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 departed from Beirut for Addis Ababa, but unfortunately crashed in the Mediterranean Sea in Lebanon, killing all 90 people on board. The accident not only shocked the world but also raised questions about the risks of flying in bad weather and the resilience of pilots.
Accident background
Aircraft information
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-8AS, registration number ET-ANB, which first flew in 2002 and was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in December 2009. During the maintenance inspection before the accident, no technical problems were found, which to a certain extent raised questions about the accident.
Crew crew
The captain of this flight was 44-year-old Habtamu Benti Necasa, who had more than 10,000 hours of flying experience. The 23-year-old co-pilot Aluna Tamerat Beyena has relatively limited experience. It is worth noting that the differences in the experiences of the two pilots may have affected their ability to collaborate in emergency situations.
The incident
Under bad weather conditions, the plane took off from Beirut's Hariri International Airport and encountered a violent thunderstorm. Data showed that the plane lost control in just a few minutes and eventually crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. Local witnesses reported seeing the plane burning in the sky.
After the accident, the local government established a multi-national search and rescue operation. Although there was little hope, their efforts allowed the flight data and cockpit voice recorder to be found.
Investigation and Conclusion
The Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority investigated the accident and pointed out that the pilot's operational errors and whether he followed the principles of team resource management were the direct causes of the accident. The report mentioned that this is caused by the spatial imbalance that pilots can cause in bad weather.
According to the report, the pilot failed to effectively manage the speed and altitude of the aircraft and failed to follow appropriate reporting procedures, causing it to lose control in extreme circumstances.
Airline response
Ethiopian Airlines strongly objected to the investigation report, arguing that the entire investigation was biased and questioning whether the takeoff should have been approved given the weather conditions at the time. This stance sparked widespread discussion within the industry.
Consequences of the accident
After the accident, the aviation industry also intensified discussions on the risks of flying in bad weather. Whether more restrictions should be placed on flight takeoff has become a hot topic among experts. In addition, airlines around the world are beginning to re-examine driver training and management to ensure flight safety in the future.
This accident not only made us aware of the risks of flying, but also prompted the global aviation community to reflect and improve. Can lessons be learned for future aviation safety?
