[Marxism] The new crisis in aviation

Wed Jul 1 13:31:14 MDT 2009

And urban rail mass transit isn't doing well either:

I was afraid that this would prove to be the case-- intermittent failure to 
detect occupancy that was reported and ignored

" After a post-
accident review of recorded track circuit data, WMATA
reported to the NTSB that the track circuit periodically
lost its ability to detect trains after June 17th;"

Negligence, criminal negligence.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: NTSB Press Releases
To: RAIL at LISTSERV.NTSB.GOV
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 1:59 PM
Subject: SECOND UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO COLLISION OF TWO METRORAIL 
TRAINS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

************************************************************
                       NTSB ADVISORY
************************************************************

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

July 1, 2009

************************************************************

SECOND UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO COLLISION OF TWO
METRORAIL TRAINS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

************************************************************

In its continuing investigation of the June 22, 2009,
accident involving the collision of two Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains on the
Red Line in Washington, D.C., the National Transportation
Safety Board has developed the following factual
information:

The examination of factors leading up to the accident
continues.  Investigators have been conducting nightly tests
of the train control system at the accident site.  Test
progress was delayed by some water in underground access
areas that made it unsafe for technicians to work on
electrical cables until the water could be pumped out.  The
components being tested include track impedence bonds,
wayside cables, and train control system circuitry for the
track segment between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations.

As previously reported, initial testing showed that when the
test train was stopped at the same location as the train
that was struck in the accident, the train control system
lost detection of the test train.   Additionally, in
subsequent testing over the weekend the train detection
system intermittently failed; data is currently being
collected to further analyze each component in the train
detection system.  Investigators are reviewing recorded
track circuit data for each test configuration.

Maintenance records show that an impedence bond for the
track circuit where the accident occurred was replaced on
June 17th, five days before the accident.  After a post-
accident review of recorded track circuit data, WMATA
reported to the NTSB that the track circuit periodically
lost its ability to detect trains after June 17th; the NTSB
is reviewing documentation on the performance of that track
circuit both before and after the June 17th replacement.

The weekend of July 18th investigators intend to conduct
sight distance tests using trains consisting of similar cars
to those involved in the accident.  The tests will establish
when the struck train would have been visible from the
striking train.  The previously reported rail streak marks
consistent with heavy braking were approximately 125 feet
long, and began approximately 425 feet prior to the point of
collision.

The investigative groups have concluded the on-scene phase
of the investigation except for the Signals Group that
continues to examine the train control system both at the
scene of the accident and at the WMATA Operations Control
Center.

# # #

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Louis Proyect" <lnp3 at panix.com>
To: <sartesian at earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 2:33 PM
Subject: [Marxism] The new crisis in aviation

> http://www.counterpunch.org/garcia07012009.html
> Clouds, Computers and Composites
> The New Crisis in Aviation
>
> By MANUEL GARCIA, Jr.
>
> The recent loss of Air France Flight 447, an Airbus A330-200, has raised
> many doubts among the flying public and even some aviation professionals
> about the safety of the newest generation of passenger airplanes. These
> new airliners have composite materials replacing metal for many
> structural elements and control surfaces, and they are reliant on
> computer-controlled flight and navigation systems.
>
> The impetus for developing this new generation of airliners is the need
> to improve fuel economy so as to maintain the profitability of the
> passenger air transport industry. Between 1986 and 2001, the world price
> of crude oil remained steady at near $22 a barrel. From 2002 to 2008,
> the world price of crude oil rose steadily from $25 to $95 a barrel (the
> prices quoted are rough averages, and in 2007 dollars). Modern airliners
> that are lighter and stronger than their older-generation all-metal size
> equivalents can carry more payload with less fuel consumption, and this
> translates to economic sustainability.
>
> The quest for a more efficient airliner began with the first example of
> the type, Igor Sikorsky's S-22 of 1913, the Ilya Muromets, a four engine
> biplane with an enclosed cabin for 16 passengers. Russia's military
> needs in WW1 swallowed up the commercial potential of the S-22, and the
> production was shifted to bombers. The post-war rebirth of commercial
> aviation began with the Farman twin engine biplane transport of 1919,
> the F-60 Goliath, seating 14 passengers. Since then the quest for
> "better, faster and cheaper" passenger aviation has never stopped.
>
> (clip)
>
> ---
>
> James Ridgeway has been covering this story as well here:
>
> http://unsilentgeneration.com/
>
> ---
>
> It should be added that the asshole Rick Adam I worked under at
> Goldman-Sachs started a passenger jet manufacturing company some years
> ago that was based on the use of composite material. It figures. It also
> figures that he recently sold the company to Russian investors. Remind
> me not to buy a ticket on a plane that uses composites.
>
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