Flight 185- August 13, 2004

Abstract

This paper will look at the unfortunate air crash of Flight 185, of Tahoma Air. The paper will then look into the history of the flight and a brief history of the pilots' testing and certification. The paper then goes on to analyze the captain's pre flight actions and how he should have considered delaying, or refusing, take off. NTSB's findings will then be discussed along with their stated cause. Finally, the paper will provide NTSB and personal recommendations to FARs.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Thesis4

Flight History4

Flight Test Failure History7

The Captain's Preflight Actions8

Findings9

Cause10

NTSB Recommendations11

Personal Recommendations11

Conclusion12

References13

Flight 185- August 13, 2004

Introduction

The National Transportation Safety board is an investigative agency, under the United States government, and is responsible for transportation accident investigations. The agency investigates accidents occurring in aviation, marine transport, railway and certain highway incidents (Luoma, 2007).

For aviation accidents, the NTSB must look at the wreckage, the crew and the rules prescribed by the FAA. The FARs, Federal Aviation Regulations, cover all aviation related activities in the United States. This paper takes a close look at the air crash of Flight 185 that took place in August of 2004, why it happened and how it could have been prevented. The paper ends with recommendations of NTSB and possible changes to FARs that can help in the prevention of a similar incident (Mitnick & Getz, 2007).

Thesis

“FARs must incorporate and introduce changes to the existing policies and guidelines based on the recommendations of NTSB and accidents like that of Air Tahoma's Flight 185.”

Flight History

In the early hours of August 13, 2004, at approximately 00:49 eastern time, flight 185 of Air Tahoma Inc. crashed approximately a mile away from Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati International Airport, Convinton, Kentucky (CVG). The aircraft was a Convair 580, N586P. The aircraft was on approach to the runway marked runway 36R. Because of the unfortunate incident, the first officer was killed, while the captain suffered only minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed due to the impact (Bangash, 2008). On record, the flight was operating under provisions set by the Code of Federal regulations (CFR). Under provision 14, part 121, the aircraft was part of a flight for DHL Express from Memphis International Airport, Memphis Tennessee to Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati International Airport Covington, Kentucky. The flight operated on instrument flight rules flight plan and the visual meteorological conditions for the said flight were deemed appropriate (NTSB/AAR-06/03, 2006).

As per initial instructions and planning, the flight crew was scheduled to fly the aircraft on return trip from MEM to CVG and back again. The accident plane, flight 185, officially departed MEM at approximately 23:29. The captain was responsible for duties that did not involve flying, where as the first officer was the actual flying pilot. Records show that in post accident cross examination and interviews, the captain felt that the initial take off and climb part of the flight went without a hitch and was perfectly normal. Listening to the cockpit voice recorder, the captain stated that he was going to balance ...