Smoke in the Cockpit: A Critical Factor in Plane Crashes

Strategic Insights -

The crew of Swissair Flight 111 reported smoke in the cockpit before the crash, but the nature of the fire and its effect on the pilots are still unknown. Recent studies by the National Transportation Safety Board have highlighted concerns about pilots' preparedness to fly a plane from a smoky cockpit, where smoke can bring a plane down even if the fire doesn't disable critical mechanical or electrical parts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots are sometimes not adequately prepared to fly a plane from a smoky cockpit, as indicated by a National Transportation Safety Board study on in-flight fires.
  • Cockpit goggles can limit peripheral vision, making it hard for pilots to scan instruments and the view outside, and can cause vertigo when attempting to scan back and forth.
  • Pilots who wear glasses often cannot fit them under the goggles, creating a dilemma where they must choose between breathing or seeing.
  • The goggles and masks are "absolutely critical for the survival of the aircraft, and the people on it," according to aviation fire safety expert Robert P. Massi.
  • Pilots are generally reluctant to put on goggles or masks, waiting until the smoke gets heavier, but experts warn that smoke can increase rapidly, making timing crucial.
  • Even if pilots put on masks, thick smoke can prevent them from reading instrument panels, making it difficult to fly the plane.
  • Some planes do not carry enough oxygen to last more than 15 minutes, which can be a critical factor in landing a plane flying at high altitude.
  • The Swissair pilot may have put on his mask in the last minutes of the flight, but investigators hope to recover the cockpit voice recorder to shed more light on the amount of smoke and its effect on the crew.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board called for protective equipment that could be put on more quickly and be more comfortable.
  • In some cases, pilots face a dilemma where they cannot breathe and see at the same time, highlighted by the Valujet DC-9 crash in the Florida Everglades.

Statistics:

  • The Swissair Flight 111 crashed 16 minutes after the pilots first radioed for help.
  • In some planes, fires can destroy mechanical cables in older designs, like the DC-9, or electrical cables in newer designs, like the MD-11.
  • Some planes do not carry enough oxygen to last more than 15 minutes, highlighting a critical factor in landing a plane at high altitude.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board studied several in-flight fires, including the Valujet DC-9 crash in 1996, which was caused by a fire in the cargo hold.

Sources:

  • "Swissair crash probe spotlights pilot's struggle to see through smoke" by the Associated Press, date not specified.
  • National Transportation Safety Board study on in-flight fires, referenced but not cited with a specific date.
  • Robert P. Massi, aviation fire safety expert, testimony at the National Transportation Safety Board hearing into the Valujet DC-9 crash.
  • Gregory Feith, safety board investigator in the Valujet case, testimony at the National Transportation Safety Board hearing into the Valujet DC-9 crash.