Knowing where you are...

[dtuuri]

I think that times have changed as far as what is considered acceptable regarding safety. CRM didn't even exist then.

That's a very good point about CRM. Although we're discussing a United crash, my comment had in mind today's private pilots. I was hired by United not long after they ran a DC-8 out of gas in Portland and the FAA made them institute CRM--a brand new concept. My first day in training in 1979, IIRC, had a period where we viewed a video presentation about the new, soon-to-be-required program. To my amazement they used, as an example of excellent CRM, an American Airlines crew's handling of a jet upset situation, IIRC. American was United's fiercest competitor. I couldn't believe management would hold up the competition as an example for us, but they did. My brother flew for American. I'm sure they would never have done that. I've always had a soft spot for United over the years because of that magnanimity even though I left during a layoff.

CRM changed United's accident record from night to day. What a difference it made. It all boils down to being assertive about your concerns if you aren't in charge and soliciting input from others if you are. For that reason, I think SRM is a bridge too far for single pilot aircraft operations. Too much of a stretch to make it fit well.

dtuuri

 

[aterpster]

GEN Fail = NORDO and NAV fail maybe? I don't know what other options they would have had to get to a better field...sectional and clock-chart-ground, assuming the weather allowed it?

Pretty spectacular, if true. Fortunately, they didn't have to worry about cell towers.

I have a lot of time in the 707. The 720 was essentially the same airplane as to avionics and autopilot. A total nav system failure was very unlikely. Both nav and comm? Naw.