Notes on British Midland Flight 092 Disaster

Introduction

Height of IRA's terrorist campaign against British targets.
Previous incidents, including the Lockerbie bombing, heightened security at airports.
Flight was a regular commuter shuttle with 118 passengers onboard.

Captain: Kevin Hunt (43 years old, 25 years of flying experience)
First Officer: David McClelland (39 years old, 53 hours on the 737-400 series)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-400, a new model with advanced technology and powerful engines.
- Features: CFM56 engines, computerized displays, and LED dials.

7:15 PM: Passengers board the aircraft.
7:52 PM: Flight 092 takes off; light-hearted atmosphere among passengers.
8:05 PM: Aircraft climbing, suddenly experiences a massive bang and severe vibrations.
- Passenger Reactions: Panic begins among passengers, noise described as alarming.

Captain & First Officer's Response: Identify engine trouble, assume malfunctioning engine is the right one based on incorrect analysis of instruments.
Emergency Landing: Captain Hunt communicates with passengers that they will land safely soon.
8:20 PM: Another loud bang, vibrations worsen, indicating further engine failure.
Last Engine Failure: Both engines ultimately fail, plane rapidly descends without thrust.

8:24 PM: Flight 092 crashes into the M1 motorway, just 900 meters from the runway.
- Impact: Tail section hits ground, plane breaks apart.
- Casualties: 39 killed in the crash, 8 more die in the hospital.

Gareth Jones: Helps a fellow passenger escape; remembers chaos and panic.
Debbie Griffiths (Cabin Crew): Concerned about potential fire from aviation fuel.
Nick Stevenson and Chris Thompson: Attempt to escape despite injuries; highlight the survival instinct.

Initial Beliefs: Assumed terrorist involvement due to previous incidents.
Mechanical Failure: Investigators rule out terrorism; determine double engine failure was due to human error.
Pilot Error: Crew mistakenly shut down the functioning right engine instead of the malfunctioning left engine due to unfamiliarity with new cockpit instruments.
**Key Factors: **
- Lack of simulator training for new systems.
- Misinterpretation of engine condition due to new display technology.

Post-incident investigations lead to critical safety reforms:
- Mandatory simulator training for new aircraft designs.
- Improved cockpit display standards for clarity.
- Emphasis on communication between flight and cabin crew during emergencies.

Legacy: 47 deaths led to significant changes in air travel safety protocols, enhancing overall aviation safety today.