Chunky Monkeys, Pencils and the Lockheed Electra

[earl1937]

  I got blasted for being weary of engineers and computer generated flight systems, lets re-visit the Lockhedd L-188 series of aircraft and its record of accidents. Wonderful aircraft, carrying 98 passengers and  a joy to fly, but it had a flaw, which killed a lot of people until they figured out what the problem was.
Anybody care to tell us what the problem was and how they fixed it?
Again, the "chunky monkeys" sitting behind a desk with a pencil in his hand, had a lot to do with this fiasco!

[Vraciu]

It was a harmonization problem that caused structural failure.   The solution was to beef up just about everything on the wing--engine mounts, skins, etc.

I seem to recall a former Electra driver telling me certain power settings were also prohibited but that may have been another airplane.

[colmbo]

This happened in 1983.  Reeve Electra out of Cold Bay noticed vibration on climb. Short time later the gearbox and prop came off #4, ticked the intake on #3 then saw a gash through the fuselage severing/jamming elevator and throttle cables.  They diverted to Anchorage and landed on the second approach.  As a young crash rig operator it was an eventful shift.

More photos here.  I think the video of the landing is on the 'net as well.

[mbailey]

Kudos to the pilots     God bless the stick and rudder guys   

[earl1937]

Kudos to the pilots     God bless the stick and rudder guys   

Don't mean to appear to rub anything in, but wonder how a computer would have handled this little deal?

[Puma44]

Don't mean to appear to rub anything in, but wonder how a computer would have handled this little deal?

You aren't rubbing it in.  You made the point about automation.  There still has to be a pilot when the computer melts down, the gear box comes apart and starts the self destruction process.  Stick and rudder are the bottom line basics.

[mbailey]

Don't mean to appear to rub anything in, but wonder how a computer would have handled this little deal?

I don't think you are, heck that was the first thing I thought. It's why I typed in my praise for the stick and rudder guys. I thought the points you made were excellent ( and agree with them) I throughly enjoy reading your posts, expecially given your background 

[mbailey]

You aren't rubbing it in.  You made the point about automation.  There still has to be a pilot when the computer melts down, the gear box comes apart and starts the self destruction process.  Stick and rudder are the bottom line basics.

Agree 100%  well put.

[kvuo75]

maybe for now..

you're kidding yourself if you think technology wont be able to do it in the future.


i wonder how many lives have been saved throughout the years because of autopilots, tcas, etc. etc. -- all the things that help prevent pilots from making mistakes and killing everyone on a daily basis.

remember, when all is said and done, pilot error is the cause of more than half of the fatal accidents.

[earl1937]

maybe for now..

you're kidding yourself if you think technology wont be able to do it in the future.


i wonder how many lives have been saved throughout the years because of autopilots, tcas, etc. etc. -- all the things that help prevent pilots from making mistakes and killing everyone on a daily basis.

remember, when all is said and done, pilot error is the cause of more than half of the fatal accidents.

while I don't disagree with what you said, I think a lot of the so called pilot errors, you could trace back to something lacking in his or her training. The accident in Buffalo, N.Y. a few years back comes to mind. That guy had already flunked some check rides and other red flags over the years pointed out, he should have never been in the left seat to begin with. The gal in the right seat was more interested in impressing him than paying attention to what the aircraft was doing, according to the voice recorder.

[Wmaker]

Locheed Electra's were/are beautiful aircraft IMO, both types....obviously the first more than the second....but still.

[Wmaker]

(Image removed from quote.)

This happened in 1983.  Reeve Electra out of Cold Bay noticed vibration on climb. Short time later the gearbox and prop came off #4, ticked the intake on #3 then saw a gash through the fuselage severing/jamming elevator and throttle cables.  They diverted to Anchorage and landed on the second approach.  As a young crash rig operator it was an eventful shift.

More photos here.  I think the video of the landing is on the 'net as well.

I'm sure many know the "air crash investigation" documentary series. This was IMO one of the most amazing incidents depicted in the series. Just amazing job by the air crew.

They sure earned their paychecks that day!

[Puma44]

They sure earned their paychecks that day!

Indeed!  Pure stick and rudder skills at work.

[colmbo]

They sure earned their paychecks that day!

They didn't have throttle control of the engines.  To reduce thrust for the approach they shutdown #2.  The first approach they were a bit high and much too fast which was obvious as they passed where  I positioned in my crash truck.  I was very afraid that I was going to witness them go off the end of the runway and crash so it was with relief, and amazement, when I saw the gear start back into the wells and the airplane started an ever so gentle climb for the go around.

[Mister Fork]

They didn't have throttle control of the engines.  To reduce thrust for the approach they shutdown #2.  The first approach they were a bit high and much too fast which was obvious as they passed where  I positioned in my crash truck.  I was very afraid that I was going to witness them go off the end of the runway and crash so it was with relief, and amazement, when I saw the gear start back into the wells and the airplane started an ever so gentle climb for the go around.

Want to tell your story of what happened when they landed?