Aerospace

Failure to fix throttle led to Indonesia plane crash that killed 62: Report

Report on the #Sriwijaya Air crash, which killed 62 lives.

Investigators in Indonesia’s aviation industry came to the conclusion on Thursday that a Boeing 737-500 tragedy last year that killed 62 lives, a nearly decade-long to properly repair a malfunctioning automatic throttle, pilots’ overreliance on the plane’s automation system, and inadequate training contributed to the crash.

3 Taliban tried to fly an American helicopter but were killed in the accident.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The automatic throttle issue with the Sriwijaya Air jet, which had been reported by pilots 65 times since 2013 and had not yet been resolved when the 26-year-old aircraft crashed into the Java Sea after taking off from Jakarta on January 9, 2021, according to the final report by the National Transportation Safety Committee’s investigators.

As it got closer to the target altitude, the plane needed less engine push, but mechanical friction prevented the automatic throttle from turning down the power of the right engine.

The left engine’s power was further reduced, down to 34%, using the automatic throttle in an attempt to make up for the loss. The power of the right engine stayed at its climb level, or around 92%, resulting in drastically unequal thrust, based on the report. The airplane tumbled onto its left side as the pilot struggled to get it up in the air but was unable to recover from the position.

Virginia flight instructor, 23, killed during flight lesson after a student caused the plane to stall and crash(Opens in a new browser tab)

After a minute, the flight recorder revealed that the automated throttle had been deactivated as the aircraft descended. A little while later, the recorder stopped recording.

Pilots can utilize the automated throttle to set the speed automatically, lessening their strain and engine wear in the process. 13 other plane parts are connected to the automatic throttle’s movements.

Numerous issues that contributed to the tragedy were exposed in a preliminary assessment released by Indonesian officials last year. New information on how the pilots responded to them was included in the final report that was issued on Thursday.

Source:

Related Topics:Indonesia plane crash Sriwijaya

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.