Commercial Air Disasters 1988-98 Quiz

Answer: All of these

The US NTSB's official finding was that the door was improperly latched, which was made possible by a deficiency in the design of the locking mechanisms, which allowed the door to be unlatched yet showed a properly latched and locked position.

Answer: Low-level Wind Shear

Wake turbulence is caused only by other larger aircraft close ahead of an aircraft, such as ahead in a take-off queue. The NTSB spent three years in an exhaustive investigation, which did not conclusively explain the crash. However there were known to be 'rotors' at the time, determined by witness reports, of up to 154km/h, gusts of 90 to 136km/h and mountain turbulence from the surrounding ranges.

Answer: Pilot's child was encouraged to 'play' with controls

The feelings of cabin crew and passengers, undoubtedly bored by the long night flight over dark, can barely be imagined as the widebody suddenly nosed up, stalled and flicked into a spin, followed by a high-speed dive of almost 40,000fpm at terminal velocity.

Answer: All of these

Even though the A320 was a new-technology, computerised aircraft with standards of maximum safety and efficiency, this accident proved that it was an aeroplane still subject to the same laws of aerodynamics as any other - and its advanced computers were still subject to the same shortfalls as the their human operators.

Answer: DFDR - Digital Flight Data Recorder

Today's FDRs (DFDRs) simultaneously record 70 aircraft performance parameters, including instrument readings, flight control movements, engine performance and secondary control settings.

Answer: A320

The first fully-computerised flightdeck with fly-by-wire controls and many features and controls not known previously, such as EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System), the initial experience was similar to the teething problems of the B727 in the 1960s.

Answer: Air New Zealand and QANTAS

QANTAS never had any fatal crashes, only one fatality-free crash in the 1950s. Air New Zealand had one crash during a training flight in 1966 involving a small number of fatalities, and one major crash later. This was the world's fourth worst aviation accident, in November 1979, where a sightseeing DC10 crashed into Mt Erebus in Antarctica during whiteout conditions. United has had its fair share of crashes during this period but it is a major airline with extensive operations.

Answer: Aircraft icing

Due to a series of delays and false starts, by the time the aircraft was given the final go-ahead to taxi, it had been a considerable length of time since being de-iced; the crew being stressed and frustrated were prepared to forgo another de-icing, which would have saved the aircraft and their lives.

Answer: All of these

They are all standard on today's modern jet airliners, but small general aviation types only have the simple stall buzzer (although proper training, experience and attention is sufficient).

Answer: Crew misunderstandings

A complex series of seemingly inconsequential frustrations, misperceptions and misunderstandings, finally worked to deprive the captain of "the plot" - with devastating consequences. The language of aviation is universally English - ie. for all radio communications.