FAA Error nearly led to jets colliding

[Amby 490]

I saw this on the today show this morning. I wonder if the man was smoking something naughty on his break?

[Ban Hammer 13,644]

What I wondered about was what would have happened if both planes had the cockpit safety systems? Would the systems be able to talk to one another and one pilot would be told to pull up and the other to either stay in position or dive? Wouldn't do much good if both systems were telling the pilots to pull up!

But, perhaps, I think way to much about this kinda stuff. Did I mention I don't like to fly?

and there can always be a random meteor shower too

[payxibka 10,047]

What I wondered about was what would have happened if both planes had the cockpit safety systems? Would the systems be able to talk to one another and one pilot would be told to pull up and the other to either stay in position or dive? Wouldn't do much good if both systems were telling the pilots to pull up!

But, perhaps, I think way to much about this kinda stuff. Did I mention I don't like to fly?

Yes, the two systems would interrogate each other. If appropriate, the higher altitude aircraft would be instructed to pull up and the lower altitude aircraft to descend. Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems or TCAS has been around for more than a decade. All commercial airliners are now required to have it installed. I believe the final rules for it to be installed on the 19 seat aircraft came in the late 90's.

[garya505 2]

Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820

Chance of dying from intentional self-harm: 1 in 9,380

Chance of dying from an assault: 1 in 16,421

Chance of dying from a car accident: 1 in 18,585

Chance of dying from any kind of fall: 1 in 20,666

Chance of dying from accidental drowning: 1 in 79,065

Chance of dying from exposure to smoke, fire, and flames: 1 in 81,524

Chance of dying in an explosion: 1 in 107,787

Chance of dying from exposure to forces of nature (heat, cold, lightning, earthquake, flood): 1 in 225,107

Chance of dying in an airplane accident: 1 in 354,319

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

[almaty 19]

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

damn, i still have a chance.,

[*JG* 2]

Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820

Chance of dying from intentional self-harm: 1 in 9,380

Chance of dying from an assault: 1 in 16,421

Chance of dying from a car accident: 1 in 18,585

Chance of dying from any kind of fall: 1 in 20,666

Chance of dying from accidental drowning: 1 in 79,065

Chance of dying from exposure to smoke, fire, and flames: 1 in 81,524

Chance of dying in an explosion: 1 in 107,787

Chance of dying from exposure to forces of nature (heat, cold, lightning, earthquake, flood): 1 in 225,107

Chance of dying in an airplane accident: 1 in 354,319

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

Statistics do not make a story like this any less frightening. Damn humans and their errors!

[derekkj 0]

What I wondered about was what would have happened if both planes had the cockpit safety systems? Would the systems be able to talk to one another and one pilot would be told to pull up and the other to either stay in position or dive? Wouldn't do much good if both systems were telling the pilots to pull up!

But, perhaps, I think way to much about this kinda stuff. Did I mention I don't like to fly?

Yes, the two systems would interrogate each other. If appropriate, the higher altitude aircraft would be instructed to pull up and the lower altitude aircraft to descend. Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems or TCAS has been around for more than a decade. All commercial airliners are now required to have it installed. I believe the final rules for it to be installed on the 19 seat aircraft came in the late 90's.

Thank you! Good to know.

And I completely admit that my fear of flying is irrational.

[SteveLaura 0]

Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820

Chance of dying from intentional self-harm: 1 in 9,380

Chance of dying from an assault: 1 in 16,421

Chance of dying from a car accident: 1 in 18,585

Chance of dying from any kind of fall: 1 in 20,666

Chance of dying from accidental drowning: 1 in 79,065

Chance of dying from exposure to smoke, fire, and flames: 1 in 81,524

Chance of dying in an explosion: 1 in 107,787

Chance of dying from exposure to forces of nature (heat, cold, lightning, earthquake, flood): 1 in 225,107

Chance of dying in an airplane accident: 1 in 354,319

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

Does the airplane statistic mean that if I'm on plane, there's a 1 in 354,319 that it will crash, or that those are the odds on me dying in a plane crash? Cos theoretically, any of the others could happen to me in the next year. But unless a plane drops on my head, the odds on me dying in a plane crash in the next 12 months is zero as I have no plans to fly anywhere.

Statistics always confuse me.

[no name 1]

i agree..and i think also, to equip the large commericial carriers with air to air missles..in case a small Piper gets in their way

:lol:

[Dan J 277]

Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820

Chance of dying from intentional self-harm: 1 in 9,380

Chance of dying from an assault: 1 in 16,421

Chance of dying from a car accident: 1 in 18,585

Chance of dying from any kind of fall: 1 in 20,666

Chance of dying from accidental drowning: 1 in 79,065

Chance of dying from exposure to smoke, fire, and flames: 1 in 81,524

Chance of dying in an explosion: 1 in 107,787

Chance of dying from exposure to forces of nature (heat, cold, lightning, earthquake, flood): 1 in 225,107

Chance of dying in an airplane accident: 1 in 354,319

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

Does the airplane statistic mean that if I'm on plane, there's a 1 in 354,319 that it will crash, or that those are the odds on me dying in a plane crash? Cos theoretically, any of the others could happen to me in the next year. But unless a plane drops on my head, the odds on me dying in a plane crash in the next 12 months is zero as I have no plans to fly anywhere.

Statistics always confuse me.

30,000 people die every year in traffic accidents in the US.

The only significant air accident in the US since 9/11 was a comair crash last year with only 49 fatalities. There were other accidents involving planes, but none resulted in fatalities.

http://www.airfleets.net/home/accident.htm has all the accident reports involving airplanes.

[eric&gen 0]

Sounds like the FAA has some ex Walmart employees lol.

[SteveLaura 0]

Chance of dying from any kind of injury during the next year: 1 in 1,820

Chance of dying from intentional self-harm: 1 in 9,380

Chance of dying from an assault: 1 in 16,421

Chance of dying from a car accident: 1 in 18,585

Chance of dying from any kind of fall: 1 in 20,666

Chance of dying from accidental drowning: 1 in 79,065

Chance of dying from exposure to smoke, fire, and flames: 1 in 81,524

Chance of dying in an explosion: 1 in 107,787

Chance of dying from exposure to forces of nature (heat, cold, lightning, earthquake, flood): 1 in 225,107

Chance of dying in an airplane accident: 1 in 354,319

Chance of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000 !!!!

Does the airplane statistic mean that if I'm on plane, there's a 1 in 354,319 that it will crash, or that those are the odds on me dying in a plane crash? Cos theoretically, any of the others could happen to me in the next year. But unless a plane drops on my head, the odds on me dying in a plane crash in the next 12 months is zero as I have no plans to fly anywhere.

Statistics always confuse me.

30,000 people die every year in traffic accidents in the US.

The only significant air accident in the US since 9/11 was a comair crash last year with only 49 fatalities. There were other accidents involving planes, but none resulted in fatalities.

http://www.airfleets.net/home/accident.htm has all the accident reports involving airplanes.

If the stat is stating that there is a 1 in x chance that you will die in a plane crash, then it's disingenuous to include it with the other more likely ways to die. For most people, air travel is not a daily occurence. The others could, more or less, happen any day of the week.

[garya505 2]

Keep in mind that the planes in this incident were 1.3 miles apart horizontally and 600 feet apart vertically. I've been closer than that on commercial flights as well as flying a plane myself. It doesn't really bother me. It's more likely somebody talking on their mobile phone while driving 20 miles over the speed limit in their 2.5-ton SUV is going to kill me.

[yogib37 3]

Then you have the Georege Carlin comment,

Why do they call it a Near Miss, It is not a Near Miss but a near hit. Having two planes crashing into each other is a Near miss.

Got to love that guy

:lol:

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We should disband the FAA, let aircraft fly whenever/wherever they want. Allow the free market to reign in the skies, an optimal solution will be found in time. The free market mechanism always works.

Yep, which is why we have such a great health-care system.

I suppose crime fighting and prevention is so poor because we haven't privatized the police forces yet, eh?