Some brokers are tools. The ones with some sort of flying background are the worst. Some of my best broker customers are actually clueless compared to the "educated" broker population that for one reason or another bagged on pro-flying careers. Maybe, cause, THEY SUCKED AT IT!
Any, who. It is interesting everyone is focusing on this de-ice neglect. Anyone know if the aircraft was safely tucked in a warm hangar prior to loading and departure? Giant, Room temperature aircraft in 30+/- Celsius falling snow. Good for atleast 15-20 minutes AND/OR Pre-Takeoff Contamination Check? No? How heavy was the snow falling?
I don't recommend this, but I can neither confirm nor deny that this infact occurred while I was onboard an aircraft either as passenger or other wise to witness a very interesting phenomenon...
(unknown persons/location(s)) A certain snow falls very light and fluffy in such a way that you would expect accumulations on horizontal(wings, back, tail, nose) surfaces to "blow" off of these surfaces as forward momentum increases airflow on perpetual takeoff. However, what you will find is the snow becomes compact aft of the leading edges and in effect "reshapes" the top surface of the wing. The forward portions are compacted by the boundary layer airflow, while the snow surface toward the rear will remain "rough". Deflecting control surfaces downward will enable gravity to remove the snow from those portions leaving a nice cliff like formation on the rear of the wing to further disrupt the 'smooth' airflow over the wing. Remember, lift is created by the top particles 'rushing' over the wing to meet the particles traveling on the bottom of the wing in the relatively same place they both began before this wing came along and nailed them in the arse. Aerodynamics 101. Ever wondered why sometimes, no matter how fast you drive your car, that snow on the roof and hood you were too, lazy/cold to sweep off is still there when you get to the Piggly Wiggly for the 1/2 price Egg Nogg special? Nearly identical concept.
Spend the $30 per gallon for deice or put the plane in the hangar. Don't screw with the air flow particles or they will screw with you.
Click-It or Ticket! Seat belts are the law. On the road and on the runway. Flight Attendants, too!. It is unfortunate the demise of the pilot and we pray the CoPilot comes through. That is the nature of the business, planes usually crash cockpit first. I speculate the FA was not seat belted and all evidence indicates the 14 yr old too, was unbuckled. I can not even attempt empathy for the family and loss of a child in these conditions, wouldof, couldof, shouldof "told him to put it on." Belts and seats are designed for survivability, Sioux City and UAL proved that with an DC-10 some years ago. Without the FA, Captain and an out-of-commissioned FO, there was no one left to direct evacuation. This could have turned out much worse. Thank God for a quick thinking young and apt individual (21yr old son) heroicly taking advantage of the seperated fuselage to extracate, evacuate his father and return in search of his brother. The trauma that man will carry for the rest of his life unable to save his brother lying unknowlingly beneath the wreckage. I pray healing for him comes quickly.
100-1/2
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