Lecture Notes: Charlotte Airport Crash Investigation

Overview

• Event: Massive explosion at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• Cause: Plane crash, short commuter flight
• Fatalities: All 21 on board killed
• Date: Morning of January 8, 2003

Key Details

• Captain: Katie Leslie, 25 years old, working for Air Midwest for almost 3 years, highly rated pilot
• Aircraft: Beechcraft 1900D, commuter plane
• Flight: Air Midwest Flight 5481 to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport
• Co-pilot: Jonathan Gibbs, 27 years old
• Passenger Highlight: Cristiana Shepherd, 18 years old, returning to college

Incident Description

• Explosion at one of the main hangars
• Plane crashed shortly after takeoff
• Maintainers failed to properly adjust elevator control cables
• Plane flew 9 successful flights post-maintenance before the crash
• During takeoff, nose pitched dramatically upward
• Pilots were unable to regain control due to faulty elevator cables
• Plane stalled, crashed into a hanger, igniting jet fuel

Investigation and Findings

• Investigators: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Wake Turbulence: Ruled out
• Elevator Control Cables: Improperly adjusted during last maintenance
• Mechanics: Inexperienced, skipped steps, supervisor also acted as an instructor
• Weight Calculation Errors: Average passenger weights outdated
• Actual Weight: Plane was overloaded, over maximum takeoff weight

Recommendations and Outcomes

• FAA Recommendations: Update average passenger and baggage weights
• Changes: New average weight calculations; 200 lbs per passenger
• Legal Action: Victim families, including the Shepherds, sued the airline
• Apology: Airline issued a public apology, unprecedented in aviation cases

Broader Impact

• Safety Improvements: Recommendations led to updates in weight and balance calculations for commuter planes
• Industry Changes: Push for real-time weight calculations
• Human Element: Recognition of Captain Katie Leslie's efforts to avoid a more catastrophic crash

Reflections

• Investigator: Linda Ward, first assignment as lead
• Connection: Firefighter Cindy Overcash felt a connection to Captain Leslie
• Legacy: Investigation improved safety regulations, ensuring such a crash doesn't happen again

The lecture highlighted the complexity of aviation safety and the critical importance of meticulous attention to detail in maintenance and operations. The efforts of investigators and the subsequent changes have made a significant impact on commuter flight safety.