USAir Jet Crash: Rudder Problem Under Scrutiny Amid Investigation

The investigation into the USAir jet that crashed on Thursday, killing all 132 aboard, is focusing on the possibility of a rudder problem similar to one that caused a fatal crash in Colorado Springs in 1991. Despite repeated inspections, nothing was found to be out of order in the USAir jet's rudder mechanism. The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered airlines to inspect the valve periodically, leading to inspections on the USAir jet, which had been completed most recently about 100 flights before the crash. The investigation is ongoing, with many days or even months of further investigation needed to determine whether the rudder was involved in the crash.

Key Takeaways:

• The USAir jet that crashed on Thursday was one of the safest in the fleet, with no previous mechanical issues reported.
• The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered airlines to inspect the valve periodically after a rudder problem was suspected in a 1991 crash.
• Despite repeated inspections, nothing was found to be out of order in the USAir jet's rudder mechanism.
• The investigation is ongoing, with many days or even months of further investigation needed to determine whether the rudder was involved in the crash.
• The rudder malfunction could cause the plane to bank sharply to one side and lose control, and pilots could not always compensate.
• The National Transportation Safety Board has not always followed the advice of the Federal Aviation Administration on safety regulations, which has led to some disagreements on inspection procedures.
• The valve problem was eventually ruled out as a possible cause of the 1991 Colorado Springs crash, but the safety board remains mindful of similarities between the two crashes.
• The safety board recommended that the aviation agency take action to inspect the valve periodically, which led to the inspections on the USAir jet.

Statistics:

• 132 people were killed in the crash on Thursday.
• According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a malfunctioning rudder can cause one wing to lift and the other to sink, making it difficult for pilots to control the plane.
• The rudder mechanism on the USAir jet had been inspected three times since March, most recently about 100 flights before the crash.
• The inspection records showed that the plane had been inspected four times, most recently in August.
• According to the National Transportation Safety Board, there have been only four crashes of a Boeing 737 that the agency cannot explain.
• The F.A.A. ordered airlines to inspect the valve periodically in this March, leading to inspections on the USAir jet.

Sources:

• Donald Riggin, manager of the F.A.A. office in Seattle
• Carl W. Vogt, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board
• National Transportation Safety Board
• Federal Aviation Administration
• USAir
• Boeing
• Parker Hannifin
• The New York Times
• Keith Meyers/The New York Times (photo caption)