Disaster 1st-Person View
I noticed this not-quite documentary over at Bayou Renaissance Man; a collection of on-scene videos of that horrific UPS plane crash in Louisville last fall. I’ve never been on a disaster of that magnitude; closest I came was being caught in the middle of a flashover on a wildland campaign fire. That was just me and the crew – we were supposed to be there. This was far beyond that.
I don’t put a direct live link up to Utube this time because I don’t want to embed a 40-minute video but BRM has it posted (linked) as does youtube (address).
The video contains clips of body cams of the first responders: police, fire, ambulance. I’ve been involved in many of the individual vignettes; never at one scene though. The video speaks to me but it can be graphic.
It’s long and heart-breaking but not often does one get to view such from 1st-person of those involved.
Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the fires turn minutes to hours?
If you wish, view it at Bayou Renaissance Man or Utube: www dot youtube dot com/watch?v=-3wRZLq_DQA
It’s not pretty …
One of the YouTube channels that I follow is run by a guy named Juan Browne. Juan is a 777 First Officer and I believe also an A&P Mechanic. Anyway, every time that there is an aviation accident, Juan’s channel is one of the first places that I go to for an accurate explanation.
With regard to UPS 2976, Juan has several videos up, but his most recent explains what failed.
https://youtu.be/q5OQzpilyag?si=Yp_CBeJw83bRThOs
Watched it. Was better than I expected.
Can’t help it. I’m a structural engineer and tend to view EVERYTHING through structural eyes.
Knowing almost nothing about aircraft, when looking at the crossectional drawing of the rear engine mount I was surprised at how UNrobust it seemed. The 3 parts in question, RED bearing, BLUE race, YELLOW lug.
The lug is the overall engine mount and must be very strong. The bearing allows the spinning engine shaft to turn fluidly. The race acts as a slippery surface for the bearing to turn.
In the pic of the interior surface of the race there was severe pitting causing instant and massive wear on the bearing surface. I have seen pitting like this before, in a motorcycle engine. It was caused by lack of lubrication AND seemingly a flaw in the metal make up of the race though the flaw may have been causal to the lack of lubrication.
The narrator pointed out a zerk fitting that may have not been addressed in the required maintenance causing the inadequate lubrication to the race.
Read Michael Crichton’s book “Airframe” for some scary stuff behind the scenes in how the entire commercial aircraft stuff is put together. Pretty scary. I’ll never fly on one.
The common nitwit retort is that commercial airlines are by miles flown the safest means of transportation. While that may be true it is not evidence of the overall safety.
The question should be about “survivability” in the event of a crash. Number of miles is irrelevant. Long ago, I walked away from 3 car crashes. How many people have walked away from 3 plane crashes?
I once worked for large aircraft manufacturer. I hate that company with a deep passion. I’m surprised there aren’t more crashes. Essentially a buyer of large airplanes has two choices: low-bid union labor (and save-a-buck management) or a consortium of govt committees. Doesn’t help that maintenance is not a profit center.
I agree with you on “safety” statistics. As the pilot tells his passengers: “We’ll beat the ambulances to the scene” (Sorry azlib!)
Add in all the other crap associated with flying commercial … I drive cross-country.
I made it through 30 minutes.. 🙁
‘flashover’…is there a story there?
Could be; probably not. Fire here, fire there, fire up and all around. Oops. Not enough for a story.