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Two Delta Planes clip wings at Chicago O'Hare
Two Delta Airlines airplanes clipped each others wings Friday evening around 7:30pm at Chicago O’Hare airport. Delta flight number 2207... (thefloridanewsjournal.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
As a ex-military (USAF - 37 years) retired Major I understand what you are saying CRM should be taught to all personnel for its impact is not just aviation although it seems focused there and on the cockpit. As a pilot and still actively flying I understand CRM and the need to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Mental vacations in my industry, along with complacency, and lack of situational awareness tend to lead the pack in human error incidents.
Outside of perhaps the Air Force, I don't know any industry that actually teaches situational awareness, it tends to be a character trait as best as I can figure out.
These kind of human error incidents are preventable 90% of the time. I have found the other 10% to be human nature, read, major outside influences that occupy the human brain, and let it stray from the task at hand. It is knowing yourself when to stay home or get off the line, and not take the risk to destroy property, hurt, or kill someone else because of your actions.
And Mr. Aurbrey, keep up the good work, teaching safe behaviors pays off in the long run. Call it job security.
Outside of perhaps the Air Force, I don't know any industry that actually teaches situational awareness, it tends to be a character trait as best as I can figure out.
These kind of human error incidents are preventable 90% of the time. I have found the other 10% to be human nature, read, major outside influences that occupy the human brain, and let it stray from the task at hand. It is knowing yourself when to stay home or get off the line, and not take the risk to destroy property, hurt, or kill someone else because of your actions.
And Mr. Aurbrey, keep up the good work, teaching safe behaviors pays off in the long run. Call it job security.
When mentoring I have always told the new hire " if you can't see the tug driver he can't see you, change your position", the tug driver can't change position the wing walkers can, it is their responsibility.
While this is purely a speculative opinion that comes from a person with experience pushing and towing B737 aircraft and take it with as many grains of salt as you wish some of the problems stem from complacency and typical human factors (I.E. An accident has not happened to us before so why should it happen now). In addition, if you ever look at wing walkers most (not always) of the time they are NOT looking up, down, and around as their training dictates. In addition, the push tug operator sometimes does not have a direct line of sight to each wing walker. This is one complaint I have had is regarding the design of tugs as the vertical support beam between the front windshield and the side door obstructs the view of the operator forcing the operator to move his head around like a chicken thus interrupting a vital communication signal at a critical moment. However, if the tug operator cannot see the wing walker he/she should immediately stop the push until visual contact is reestablished. Although once again “an accident has not happened to us before so why should it happen now” may rear its ugly head again resulting in a tendency to ignore critical factors that result in accidents
There are 2 wing walker with each plane and they have the right to stop the push at any time if they feel there is a problem. The problem is that most wing walkers are more worried about cell phone calls or their shoe laces then to take the 2 min. to watch the wings during the push.
Micheal - I agree but there are wing-walkers who are supposed to be in contact with the push-back supervisor who is connected with the tug operator -- where is the communications.