Video - Survival in the Sky
American Eagle ATR crash in Indiana, Delta L1011 crash in Dallas

Name: _______________________________________________

Instructions, read the introduction, watch the video about these two air disasters, and answer the following questions.

Introduction -- in our first video on the topic of why airplanes crashed, the human element was focused on. In this video, two crashes are investigated that were caused by forces beyond the immediate control of the pilot. In both cases, a weather phenomenon caused aerodynamic problems that led to a crash. Pilots train for these two events. It is important that you can identify the aerodynamic problems that lead to these accidents.

Segment 1 -- American Eagle ATR crash

Video overview: This aircraft crashed in northern Indiana while in a low altitude holding pattern for landing at Chicago O'Hare (KORD) airport. The impact was over at over 450 kts and there were no survivors.

1. What weather phenomenon caused the crash of the ATR ?
   
   
   
2. Describe what control surface affected the departure of the ATR from straight and level flight, and how the plane reacted?
   
   
   
3. What caused the control surface to move in such a way?
   
   
   
4. Why is this aircraft more susceptible to icing, and how does this aircraft get rid of ice on it's wings?

Segment -- 2 Delta L1011-1 crash at Dallas

Video overview -- wind shear is an invisible hazard associated with thunderstorms in the area. Wind shear is a sudden shift in wind. This shift may cause a loss of lift if the change in RELATIVE wind is large enough.

1. What was the weather phenomenon that caused the wind shear?
   
   
2. If an airplane like the L1011 stalls at 130 kts, and is flying at 150 kts into a 20 kt head wind, and that wind shears to a 15 kt tail wind (coming from behind), is this a problem for the aircraft? (explain why)
   
   
   
   
3. What were the pilot's actions when they experienced the shear, and why did their actions fail to save the jet?
   
   
   
   
4. What two things would you recommend (both flying wise and weather reporting wise)to avoid this situation from happening again? (Hint for flying solutions - think about speed)