Airplane Mechanic Causes $100M Damages After Pushing Wrong Button

Did someone "set her up" starting the modern turbo engine is not hard to do, but a person has to do more than "hit the switch".

It amazes me how all of you people that remarked about this story, seem to know "what really happened" How do any of you know that what was reported, didn't happen that way? I agree something smells of BS, but it isn't the story!

Another 'Urban Legend' is born.

this story is BS
No "take off mode" button.
and NO three planes are worth any $100million.

Can we say unemployment line? She can search for a new job here:

http://www.searchtheentirecraigslist.com

Terrence O'Brien? You been screwing around in the cockpits of airplanes AGAIN???? How many times do you have to be told, NOT to push all the buttons and pull all the switches up there? We all need to forgive, poor little Terrence, for writing such a B.S. story and obviously leaving out many important facts. Thank you to all of the very knowledgable folks who added their comments here. AND Terrence, if I told you once I told you a thousand times...........................

Can't beleive there aren't photos in the news and on the internet of the planes all smashed to bits. This one really stinks...in fact, it smells like complete fabrication.

So what they're saying is that the brakes, ignition, torque link and throttle were ALL set incorrectly, making it possible to launch the plane forward into others in the hangar by pressing one button? Even if it were true and it really did happen by someone accidentally pressing one button, more than one person had to have eaten an extra bowl of stupid that morning to make those circumstances happen.

This story just doesn't make sense. To clean the rotor blades of a jet engine you don't have to go into the cockpit for any reason. When a jet engine is off and at rest,the rotors can easily be turned by hand.

hey john where is your brain located,surely not in your head. The pilots must be very thankful for the job well done during world war two. men at war women in aircraft factories. I'm only 59 but give credit to the ladies who helped win the war. As for as the one botton deal I don't believe it can happen. Ok ladies standbyme on this one. Let him have it. I can't praise ignorance.

Most planes need an external APU if parked for any long period of time to get the engines started and it just takes one button, right. That should be an Urban Legend.

If you believe that story the way it was told I have swamp land in Arizona to sell you. Had to be more to the story than just one button being pushed. Starting a plane is a lot harder than starting your car.

The story is bogus. There's a whole lot of this story that isn't being said. As a former Air Force Chief Crew Chief with a 43171 rating and having an A&P rating (now retired) this story is a hoax the way it is written.

You're all wrong! It was the fetzer valve, you idiots!!!

The reporter of Switched, Terrence O'Brien should be fined for inverting a story and falsly accusing someone. The correct story is at the link within the story. A BIG difference in what Terrence wrote. Terrence, when you grow up you want to be a fantasy writer don't you?

Something about this doesn't sound right. To my knowledge, a jet engine can't just power on to full as soon as you push a button. You have to let it idle for a little while. If it destroyed that many planes, one would expect there to be a huge explosion, too, because of the amount of jet fuel on 3 commercial planes.

Forgot to add this to my last comment, what exactly is "full fledged take off mode"? Is that taxi, reving, or full, open throttle? I'm pretty sure you can't just hit a button and turn on the engines. My great-uncle was a crew chief for the Thunderbirds, so he would know.

TO THOSE WHO DOUBT THE STORY:
Also a photo can be found at this site:

http://www.jacdec.de/news/months/08_07.htm


DATE: 07.07.2008 LOCAL TIME: - LOCATION: Baton Rouge Intl AP (KBTR), LA COUNTRY: USA
AIRLINE1: ASA - Atlantic Southeast AL TYPE: Canadair CRJ-200ER REGISTRATION: N916EV C/N: 7757 AGE: 5 y + 4 m
AIRLINE2: ASA - Atlantic Southeast AL TYPE: Canadair CRJ-200ER REGISTRATION: N975EV C/N: 7599 AGE: 1 y + 2 m
AIRLINE3: ASA - Atlantic Southeast AL TYPE: Canadair CRJ-701ER REGISTRATION: N706EV C/N: 10054 AGE: 5 y + 10 m
OPERATION1-3: GND FLIGHT No.: - FROM: - TO: - VIA: -
OCCUPANTS1: PAX: - CREW: -
FATALITIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
INJURIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT N916EV: substantial /
damaged beyond repair
OCCUPANTS2: PAX: - CREW: -
FATALITIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
INJURIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT N975EV: substantial
OCCUPANTS3: PAX: - CREW: 1
FATALITIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
INJURIES: PAX: 0 CREW: 0 OTHER: 0
DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT N706EV: substantial /
damaged beyond repair
Whilst parked in front of the ASA maintenance hangar, a mechanic inadvertently started the engine which ran up to high power causing the aircraft to jump off its chocks. The CRJ-700 ran foreward until it collided with two other Canadair aircraft inside the hangar. Despite several mechanics and cleaning personnel were working inside the aircraft, no injuries occured. Aall three aircraft sustained substantial damage until engine power was reduced. N706EV and N916EV are likely to be declared a total loss.
(Photo: wafb / photobucket)

let me say that I have first hand knowledge of this incident, and it is most definitely true. The crj-700 that started the problem is equipped with a FADEC computer. Unlike other aircraft the crj-700/900 and most likely crj next gen/1000 do not require the physical pressing of a separate ignition switch. The starter switch alone (along with relay logic) starts the startup sequence, this coupled with the fact that the throttles were out of the shut-off position sent the a/c into immediate power. However, the mechanic that was sent to dry motor the engine was not qualified and therefore did not know what to look for prior to motoring. She is no longer with the company.