Should the rudder of the A300 or the whol structure not be so sophisticated that a crash like the AA in 2001..

Question

.....could or should have been prevented?

Answer 1

Hey. The reason why that AA flight went down wasn't a matter of the airplane, it was caused by the pilots, and what they were trained to do.

What happened was they were departing after a 747 where they ran into quite a bit of wake turbulence. American airlines incorrectly trained their pilots to use strong rudder movements to correct the turbulence. These rudder movements that the pilot was using to attempt to regain control only made it worse. As the airplane rocked from side to side, and on top of the force of the turbulence, the fasteners that held the tail section attached to the plane literally snapped, and the airplane lost it's tail section in the harbor.
Here is the picture:
http://www.september11news.com/Nov12Flight587WaterTail.jpg

So, this could have been prevented if American airlines didn't train their pilots in such a way to force the rudder to extreme movements.

Answer 2

I'd just add to that, the pilots believed that below manoeuvering speed (VA, maximum speed for full control deflection) they wouldn't be able to overstress the plane with control inputs. This isn't entirely true and in this case it was catastrophically untrue.

From the AOPA article:-
In a somewhat unusual move, the NTSB issued two critical recommendations to the FAA very early in the investigation. "For air carrier pilots, some training programs do not include information about the structural certification requirements for the rudder and vertical stabilizer on Transport category airplanes. Significantly, full opposite rudder inputs, even below the design maneuvering speed, may result in structural loads that exceed certification requirements."

Answer 3

one thing not mentioned that plane was involved in a serious tail strike i believe before airbus gave the plane to american.
Yes they were flying through the wake of a 747 that had taken off but it should not have normally been enough to loose its tail. Just my opinion , i think when they hit the first wake the rudders damage was worsend and they could did not have the proper control and was probably pushing on the rudder which is rarly used on this plane and finally it snapped off and they may not have figured it out, no matter wheter thy powered up or reduced, they were doomed,
Im just not a big fan of the composite (Plastic) planes. Give me aluminum any day...

Answer 4

The vertical tail structure isn't sophisticated. It is weak.

Answer 5

The Industry is now full of Cut Price operators , the Airline safety standards are now being compromised.
Expect to see more CRASHES in years to come.
My advice.........Go back to the Boat.