Airplane Mechanic Causes $100M Damages After Pushing Wrong Button
All three planes were destroyed, ultimately causing $100,000,000 in damages, not to mention nearly killing herself and 14 other workers, according to a report from Baton Rouge's WAFB-TV.
The entire incident took all of about five seconds according to witnesses, who are still dumbfounded as to how the whole hanger wasn't sent up in flames.
We all make mistakes, but we're pretty sure this woman will soon be out of a job. [Source: WAFB]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
Gregory Dittmer @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:30PM
With all of the switches, gages and instruments on a commercial jet, how can ONE switch possibly start TWO engines on FULL throttle?! Besides, anyone that flies knows it takes at LEAST five seconds to rev up the engines on the runway before the plane even starts to move... and this is on a plane that has been started and warmed up with ALL the REQUIRED switches being thrown. Even small, single engine, private planes require more than the throw of ONE switch to start the plane "into full-fledged take-off mode" if the plane has been properly parked!
Something in this story sounds a bit fishy.
Ed @ Jul 24th 2008 6:55PM
It's odd, because the FAA shows no accident report being filed.
The story is a Hoax.
Ralph @ Jul 24th 2008 8:08PM
I agree, as a A & P Mechanic (US) and CAA (UK) Aircraft Engineer, this article is BS it takes at least three switches to start an engine (each one) and "Mechanics" DO NOT CLEAN AIRCRAFT!!!!!!
wink101x @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:50PM
since when do mechanics also clean the aircraft
justavillen @ Jul 24th 2008 3:33AM
humm since when do aircraft mechanics clean airplanes? Most of you assume that she was inside the aircraft cleaning. Well if people went to the sorce of the story, Baton Rouge's WAFB-TV (the link is in the aol story) you might have read she was going to clean the jet engine roter blades. And in order to work on the power plant (most commonly known as the Jet engine) she would have to be a airplane mechanic. And the story also said she was a young mechanic, so I am wondering where her supervisor was durring all of this?
Oh and befor you bash me for spelling and grammer I know I am very bad at it.
Ed @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:21PM
Are you SUPPOSED to push this button, to "slowly" turn the bladrs?
Tom @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:25PM
Something isn't ringing true with this story.
A single button?
100,000,000 in damages? yea sure.
I think the airline wants to get the most out of their insurance company with claims like this.
SHORTY @ Jul 23rd 2008 11:37PM
IF THEY COULD ONLY HAVE MOVED THE BUSES THAT QUICKLY
FOR KATRINA.
YOU GOT IT. HOW OLD WAS THE PLANE AND
HOW OLD WERE THE OTHER TWO. THE AIRLINES HAVE A
WONDERFUL ACCOUNTING DEAL WITH THE IRS. THEY PROJECT
THE NUMBER OF HOURS THE PLANE WILL FLY. ESTIMATE
THE FUTURE REPAIRS AND MAINTENACE. THEY THEN DEPRECIATE
ALL FUTURE COST IN TODAYS DOLLARS. DOES THE TERM DEPRECIATION RECAPTURE ON SECTION 1245 PROPERTY RING
ANY BELLS.
EVER SEE THE WORDS DEFERDED FEDERAL INCOME TAX.
THEY CALL IT A TIMING DIFFERENCE. CARRIED AS AN ASSET
ON THE BALANCE SHEET. DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE.
IS IT REALLY A CURRENT ASSET THAT AFFECTS THE QUICK RATIO?
IF YOUR GOING TO BUY AIRLINE STOCK MAKE SURE IT'S SOUTH WEST.
wtilton67 @ Jul 24th 2008 3:53PM
There won't be any firing because now they can get the insurance on 3 planes and have some operating capital. It will be considered purely and accidental claim and cannot be excluded under the policy, unless the exclusion says something about this.
Galley @ Jul 23rd 2008 3:36PM
I'm gonna have to call "shenanigans" on this one. I don't believe it was entirely her fault. I still don't see how it is even possible. It was probably due to a number of things, such as poor training, faulty safety overrides, poor maintenance procedures, etc.
ldallamura @ Jul 24th 2008 2:15PM
I agree. You shouldn't be able to start an aircraft with the push of just one button. There's no way this woman should be held responsible. Things like this are the result of many factors. The article is written solely for the cheap shock factor, and twits like mike jump right into it. Obviously few of the facts are presented in the article. This is not news, it's infotainment, meant for the weak minded.
andymorel20 @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:06PM
If you can accidentally hit a switch while cleaning a plane, and its a switch that's important enough to cause that much damage...the switch probably shouldn't be there in the first place.
Will @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:12PM
Mike can't even spell "equal," much less fully grasp its meaning. As a pilot, I have deep reservations that an unskilled worker could accidently start a jet turbine and start it taxiing by simply "pushing the wrong button." If that's the case, some idiot, like Mike, perhaps, did not properly secure the aircraft.
Jeff @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:14PM
Another empty kitchen...................
charmed @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:18PM
How much you all want to beat "mike" is abusive to his wife, if he even has one. What an A**hole!!
John Casy @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:21PM
Just another dumb broad doing her thing... Should not let broads work or be near airliners...
BN @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:38PM
John maybe you and Mike should get together...I know many women who worked as mechanics in the Air Force. Men with your attitudes should be outfitted with wings and let you flap your arms to get somewhere instead of flying on a plane.
griloco @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:28PM
fired? she's no doubt a supervisor now
after decommissioning three loss units
while collecting 100 mil for the airline.
not to mention furloughing 14 workers
who will, because they were out of their work
area, receive nothing.
Craig @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:31PM
I agree. My BS meter is pegged on this one.
There is simply no way this is possible.
Umm... Well... MAYBE... But only if the plane was attached to an aircraft carrier catapult.
Bobby G @ Jul 23rd 2008 8:32PM
Generation STUPID strikes again.