Sleepy NWA pilots?

[Fly91]

Could have happened to any of us.

Speak for yourself man....thats just pathetic. When pilots start to turn down legs because they're tired, things will start to change. They keep doing it, they'll just end up killing more innocent people in another fatigue related crash.

Those pilots need to get hanged for this. Start setting examples before crashes start setting examples.

 

[Fly91]

Fatigue? If so, 2009 may be the year the FAA turns the corner on the fatigue issue and gets some rulemaking that makes sense. Lots of incidents and one big accident this year due to fatigue.

Thats right. Its been a long time coming and the FAA has killed enough people because of their slow reactions to aviation problems.

 

[Crizz]

Thats right. Its been a long time coming and the FAA has killed enough people because of their slow reactions to aviation problems.

Agreed. They should be embarrased a bunch of dim-wit legislators are now doing their job for them. I will conceed its a bit scary that the FAA knows about the problem and refuses to do anything, and the congress knows absolutely nothing and is acting swiftly.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

I wonder what policy they were bickering about? Hats?

 

[Metrojet]

Don't you think the flight attendants were curious as to why they hadn't begun a descent for over an hour late? I have had F/A's call up and ask what time are we landing, especially if we haven't done a PA in a while.

Also curious - I can understand missing a few radio calls, or not hearing any communications on the freq for awhile before wondering if you missed a freq change - but to fly for over 100 miles without anyone checking on the ND for position - especially when you should be in the "descent/arrival mindset" - I find it hard to believe it is the result of an heated discussion.

Will wait to hear the "rest of the story", and see if fatigue played a factor.

 

[FishandFly]

At least the guys added some humor to the ntsb questioning by saying they were arguing policy.

Does lying change DAL's punishment toward pilots? Serious question.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

At least the guys added some humor to the ntsb questioning by saying they were arguing policy.

Does lying change DAL's punishment toward pilots? Serious question.

Yep, lie and you're gone. Play ball and they are typically very lenient.

 

[cargoflyr69]

Does lying change DAL's punishment toward pilots? Serious question.

Absolutely!

We are still operating on the NWA certificate and have the NASAP program in place. Since this was obviously not a sole-source report there will likely be penalties for this crew such as a letter of warning or letter correction in their FAA files. When all said and done, they should be able to keep their license and jobs. I'm assuming they both filed a NASAP report, if not, well...

NOW, IF they were found lying or fabricating evidence then any and all NASAP protections are out the window and the Feds are free to have a field day.

Hoping for the best and no more speculation from this pilot.

 

[Smarta$$]

Wonder how much fuel they landed with?

 

[LearLove]

"The crew stated they were in a heated discussion over airline policy and they lost situational awareness. The Safety Board is scheduling an interview with the crew."

WTF

 

[LearLove]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NWA188

Chippewa Falls, WI (home of Leinenkugels brewery).

and that forzen on the raft guy from Titanic.

 

[aussieflyboy]

Arguing about policy my ***. These guys are going to be really sorry very soon. The NTSB has the tapes and I'm pretty sure we're going to find out there was no conversation going on st ALL. Maybe they were having a heated debate in sign language??

 

[Green Banana]

not if they pressed the red ERASE button.

 

[Richard Gozinya]

Arguing about policy my ***. These guys are going to be really sorry very soon. The NTSB has the tapes and I'm pretty sure we're going to find out there was no conversation going on st ALL. Maybe they were having a heated debate in sign language??

Maybe they were sending each other text messages........

Dick

 

[K.V.]

When they playback the tape I think they'll find one of the quietest "heated discussions" ever.

 

[wmuflyguy]

not if they pressed the red ERASE button.

Yea right. They can still retrieve data off your hard drive even if you "erase" it. That button is just a feel good thing for us pilots.

Now, I'm not sure how much storage the Airbus CVR has. It is at least 30 minutes, but some can hold as much as 2 hours I believe. Not sure how long the return trip lasted once they turned around, so it may have gotten recorded over. Not sure if they can retrieve data once it has been recorded over.

 

[mesaba13]

Since a descent should have begun around 100 miles west of MSP and then they flew at 37000 to the airport and continued 150 miles past the airport, it seems they were not paying too much attention for at least 250 miles. Not to mention that according to the NTSB they were not talking to ATC for well over an hour. Unfortunately, the FAA may not be content with a simple letter in their file on this one.

Obviously, everyone has forgot to check on with ATC, missed a frequency change, or have been given a bad frequency. (one of which is probably where this thing started to go bad) After that I wonder if its another case of an improper range/scale selected on their tubes that initially masked their proximity to MSP. Then at some point they got into their heated debate and just checked out. Like other incidents in aviation, an error chain that keeps compounding

I feel for these guys and realize that they will probably pay a heavy price no matter what the FAA/company punishment is and for that reason I hope we can all learn something from this.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

I would be honest.

 

[wmuflyguy]

I would be honest.

Definitely, the cover up generally generates more backlash than the crime itself would have.

Tell the truth, we can work with you. Lie to us, we will hang you.

 

[LR45JI]

From you Airbus guys/gals: What mode does the AP revert to once you reach the end of your flightplan?