Takeoff Ad Absurdum
In the vast hierachy of stupid pilot tricks, perhaps none surpasses an accident caused by intentional operation of an aircraft with a serious known mechanical defect. Case in point: the attempted takeoff of an Aerospatiale SN-601 bizjet last March at Portland, Oregon, despite the pilot's inability to get the right engine started. The aircraft never got out of ground effect before it crashed, which was probably the only reason the four occupants escaped injury. What makes this accident particularly memorable is the fact that the entire fiasco was captured verbatim on the bizjet's CVR, including the disbelieving protestations of the right-seater (an unrated private pilot) when he realized what the captain was about to try. We hereby offer the full NTSB factual report, CVR transcript and all.
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photo Wezgulf3/Flickr
