32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How Planes Crash, March 29, 2008
This review is from: Beyond the Black Box: The Forensics of Airplane Crashes (Hardcover)
As an airline pilot and safety researcher, I ordered "Beyond the Black Box" as soon as it became available. This book is different from most books about aircraft accidents in that it focuses on the actual dynamics and mechanical processes of aircraft accidents rather than Human Factors: I found Dr. Bibel's book to be illuminating from a physical sciences viewpoint. The book uses very basic science and math principles (as well as simple experiments suitable for home or classroom use) to explain important points about these accidents.
Some of these accidents are quite well known, even outside of the industry (United 232), while most have been forgotten by everyone other than those directly involved in aviation safety and engineering (the Comet decompression accidents, the British Midland 737 accident at Kegworth, England, etc.), but all are excellent examples of different accident modes. I have studied numerous accidents over the years, and have taught several aviation safety courses, and I think this book is the best introduction to the physical sciences and engineering involved in aviation accidents available to the public. It is written with both expert professional and interested observer in mind, and is easily comprehended; all math and science concepts are thoroughly explained, as are higher order concepts like metal fatigue and fracture analysis.
I recently had the privilege of meeting Dr. Bibel and hearing him speak on aircraft accidents. He was very gracious and approachable, and I enjoyed both his presentation and his book greatly. This book is not written from a pilot's perspective, and as such contains some generalizations about flying procedures and techniques, but as an accessible scientific introduction to the science and dynamics of airplane accidents, this is an enjoyable and engaging book, and I recommend it without reservation.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative, Interesting Stories, January 26, 2008
This review is from: Beyond the Black Box: The Forensics of Airplane Crashes (Hardcover)
I heartily recommend this book. Bibel gives lots of stories of airline crashes and diasters-a surprising number with reasonably happy endings. The stories themselves are fascinating and should be required reading for all pilots and flight attendants. But everyone should appreciate the stories and the care that the entire air industry puts into air safety-and much of the physics and engineering behind it. Very enjoyable read.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book can save your life -- Get Out Quick!, March 20, 2008
This review is from: Beyond the Black Box: The Forensics of Airplane Crashes (Hardcover)
In correspondence with Mr. Bibel, we both agreed that one of the most startling conclusions: in many airliner crashes, at least some people get out safely and survive. Get Out Quick!
***
George Bibel has written a fascinating book about what happens in the crashes of commercial airliners. He presents several case studies of airplane accidents, investigations and lessons learned. The book contains many drawings, graphs, and equations that illustrate his points.
These investigations have led to many improvements in airliner design. For example, passengers are often disturbed when they see the wings flapping in turbulence. That's intentional. The wings of a 777, for example, must bend upward 24 feet so it can pull out of an emergency dive before it can be certified to fly.
Planes can survive major blast damage. In 1986, a TWA jet withstood the explosion of a bomb. Four passengers were killed, but the plane landed safely, and 117 people survived. Other survivable occurrences include violent engine shuddering, sputtering flames and engine shutdown.
Some of the statistics surprised me. Of the 446 DC-10s ever delivered, 27 were involved in crashes that led to "total hull loss." Most of the deaths occurred in four of the crashes. Overall, 69% survived, and in 23 of the crashes, over 90% survived. Bottom line: you are five times more likely to be in a crash that is survivable than in a crash that isn't.
Getting out quickly is critical. In a 1989 crash the plane broke into multiple sections and a fireball erupted, but 185 of 296 people survived, including a baby placed on the floor as instructed by the flight crew.
Important lessons for passengers:
First, listen carefully to the on board announcements. Many are delivered quickly over sometimes faulty sound systems. Surveys show that over half of the passengers don't pay any attention to the safety announcements.
Second, keep your seat belt fastened throughout the flight.
Third, in case of an emergency landing or crash, follow instructions carefully and get out of the plane quickly.
I found this a clearly written, very useful review of current airline safety. George Bibel also maintains an excellent website to update the information in his book.
Robert C. Ross 2008
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