587 Blamefest

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The public hearing into the crash of an American AirlinesFlight 587, which crashed in New York last November 12 killing all 260 aboardand five on the ground, has degenerated into a polarized blamefest over ruddermovement. There’s now no argument that five full back-and-forth deflections ofthe A300-600’s rudder (that generation of aircraft did not have fly-by-wirerudder controls) caused the tail to rip off and make the aircraft unflyable.But Airbus maintains it told American Airlines that its training on use of therudder was faulty and that communication indicates American knew such a failurewas possible. “Additional rudder use information should be provided withemphasis on the consequence of inappropriate use of rudder,” Airbus saidin a letter sent to American in 1997. But the airline denies Airbus everformally warned that moving the rudder too much at high speed could cause it tocome off. “Airbus says this was a perfectly fine plane and the pilot brokethe aircraft,” said American spokesman Bruce Hicks. “That’shogwash.” There has also been discussion about whether the plane’s co-pilot,Sten Molin, who was at the controls, had a propensity to overuse the rudder.Four months after the crash, the NTSB warned all airline pilots to be gentle onthe pedals.

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