Comair 5191 Crash Insight

Tired_Old_Man · August 28, 2006

Investigators probe why jet used wrong runway

The reason IMHO why the plane crashed is that airports have terrible markings for the runways and taxi-ways. Mechanics at the airline that I worked for had to taxi planes from the hanger to the terminals or to the cargo area. Taxi means drive on the ground.

I rode in the cockpit dozens of times, many times (riding brakes) in the co-pilot's seat before ever being allowed to taxi a plane. I also taxied the simulator many times before taxiing a real plane. The markings at JFK and EWR (Newark) were horrendous. I also rode in the cockpit at Logan (Boston), Dulles (DC) and Philadelphia International. They are all bad. I was almost killed when a plane landed on the same runway as the plane I was riding in was applying power for takeoff. None of the paying passengers knew about it, because they can only see out of the sides, while the cockpit gives 180 degree visibility.

The poor ground markings, poor lighting and flippant ground controllers are the airline industry's dirty little secret.

Tired_Old_Man · August 31, 2006

They are trying to put some of the blame for the crash on the fact that the runway had just been repaved. The runway being repaved is one thing. It takes quite a few more than one thing to crash a plane.

Why did neither pilot notice the wrong compass reading for the runway? Runways are named by the compass heading. Runway 22 is at 220 degrees no matter what airport it is at. Runway 26 is at 260 degrees no matter what airport it is at. If the tower says "you are cleared for take-off on runway 22", and you go on to what you think is runway 22, but your compass read 260, you had better ask yourself or the other pilot, "what is wrong with our compasses or are we on the right runway?"

When the tower said, "you are cleared for take-off on runway 22", that was not the end of his responsibility. He should have called the plane and said, "whoa there guys, you are on the wrong runway".

Even after they repave a runway, the marker lights should all be replaced and retested before they allow use of the runway.

Dody · August 31, 2006

I watched Entertainment Tonight and saw the newlyweds that were married the day before and pictures of their wedding. It was heartbreaking to know they were killed in a horrible plane crash on their way to their honeymoon. It sure brought the story home. How very sad for all the families of those 49 people that were killed. This is a horrible thing to have to deal with. I will keep them in my prayers.

Considering I leave Tennessee in about Jan. of next yr. and fly out of Knoxville, TN on ConAir....it gives me lots of pause for thought, but I love flying and I think this was total incompetence and should never have happened. Flying is actually much safer than driving.

Tired_Old_Man · August 31, 2006

The most dangerous part of your trip will be the drive to the airport.

More people die while taking showers than in Commercial airliner crashes.

More people died in the 7 days ending on and including 911 in car crashes than in plane crashes. Think about that fact.

PhotoNut · August 31, 2006

It is heartbreaking when we see people die and we think it is a senseless death or a waste of youth.

Then, on the other hand, and I know this is kind of odd, but to me, dying together on your honeymoon is so hm.. blessed? You are instantly together forever without the years of heartache, stress, and possibly divorce. Make sense?

I had a miscarriage and lost twins several years ago. My only comfort was knowing that they went straight on to (what I believe is.. ) living in the presence of God. They missed out on so much pain and disappointment and they'll be there when I get there. (I can't help but wonder if this will show up in some thread about what a wacko I am. Oh well.)

So, my thoughts about the newlyweds are along the same lines.

When I heard about this crash, I was in the gift shop of the Spokane, Washington airport, picking up a gift for a friend while we were waiting for our flight back to Boise. That will test your faith in God's perfect timing. If ya know what I mean.