B-52H Crash Fairchild AFB 1994

B-52H Crash Fairchild AFB 1994 Name Affiliation Date B-52H Crash Fairchild AFB 1994 Abstract The critical role that the aviation industry plays has led to massive investments to ensure that safety of aircraft during the flights. Initially, aviation safety was viewed majorly from a technical point of view where an aircraft deemed safe if it is functioning well. However, the occurrence of accidents due other causes other than technical failure has drawn a lot of attention from the global aviation community in this matter. Consequently, aviation safety now requires a multidisciplinary approach from technical, economic, managerial, human behavior as well as legal. This paper analyses the safety measures that the airline industry has taken to prevent the accidents. Focus is given on the crash of the B-52H and highlights some of the mistakes made by both the pilot and the commander in charge as well as other safety hazards that can occur during a flight. The paper takes into consideration the lessons learned from the crash and highlights the developments that have occurred so far. Lastly, the study highlights aviation safety practices that have been developed to prevent accidents from occurring frequently. Introduction Aviation safety is a concern for many people who recognize its importance. Indeed, when major accidents have taken place in the industry, people react from different parts of the world. Vital aviation accidents have led to the loss of lives in large numbers and heavy casualties for the industry. As a result, the industry has continued to be of importance to all the stakeholders including the public, governments, and the industry. When the B-52H crashed at Fairchild Air Force Base in 1994 killing all the four crew on board, the importance of aviation safety has become a critical issue. Significant research has been done on similar accidents to establish their cause as well as come up with measures that ensure that similar scenarios do not occur. Safety is used in everyday life to imply freedom from any form of danger. However, if aviation must be completely free of risk, then it will not exist in the first place. Huang (2009) states that flight cannot be free of hazards since it occurs at an environment which is hostile at high speed. Consequently, aviation safety has evolved to encompass the investigation, analysis of failures, and the regulation, and training with the aim of avoiding future accidents to enhance the security of the passengers. Hence, aviation safety goes beyond the prevention of accidents from a technical point of view and covers other dimensions such as strategic, political and legal dimensions with the aim of ensuring risk management for future flights. Safety Hazards in Aviation The crushing of B-52H awakened the world to the safety measures that need consideration in the industry. The pilot, Lt Col Arthur Holland pushed the plane far much beyond its operational limits. The aircraft lost control and crashed to the ground where it exploded killing the pilot and the other three crew. A report from investigation revealed that the pilot violated the safety procedures. On the other hand, the supervisor was at a fault for allowing such violations to take place. * Aggressive behavior According to the AFR 110 - 14 report (1994), the personality of Holland influenced the accident. He had developed an aggressive behavior where he often violated flight rules. The report established that the pilot caused the accident by violating the regulations and guidance from both the manual and the wing commander. He then placed the aircraft outside its flight parameters which made it vulnerable. When it finally started to crush, it was at such an altitude where recovery was not possible. On the other hand, the crew did not realize that the aircraft was in a dangerous state, and they allowed the pilot to continue stalling. The report indicated that the crew had a limited flying time during the period before the crash. As a result, they failed to apply the proper recovery methods that would have saved the aircraft. Although the flight was at a very low attitude, if the crew had discovered the stalling early enough, they would have reduced the impact of the crash. * Leadership failure. The administration failed to recognize his poor airmanship and aggressive behavior (AFR 110 - 14 report, 1994). The wing commander approved dangerous maneuvers that Holland would do during the shows. Holland had violated several safety regulations before this crash. He had earlier on May 19, 1991, at a show in Fairchild while piloting the B-52, he exceeded bank and pitch limits. Additionally, he flew the aircraft over the spectators which violated altitude restrictions. The commander in charge observed the violations but did nothing about it. Two months later, while on the same plane, Holland flew below the accepted attitude and also exceeded the pitch angle. According to Losey (2015) two months before the tragedy happened, Lt. Col Mark had requested the superiors to withdraw Holland from the flight because of flying too low, but his request denied. Although this time round the commander reprimanded him for the violations, the supervisors did nothing against his aggressive behavior. Hence, the pilot continued with his dangerous maneuvers which eventually led to the accident in 1994. Failure of the leadership to recognize that his actions were contrary to air discipline and exercise the appropriate measures resulted in an accident that would not have occurred. - Mission plan...