Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster [Hardcover]

Gerry Byrne (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 038795256X | ISBN-13: 978-0387952567 | Publication Date: July 10, 2002 | Edition: 1

Boeing's 737 is indisputably the most popular and arguably the safest commercial airliner in the world. But the plane had a lethal flaw, and only after several disastrous crashes and years of painstaking investigation was the mystery of its rudder failure solved. This book tells the story of how engineers and scientists finally uncovered the defect that had been engineered into the plane. One of its novel features is that it portrays the complex interaction of different experts and opposing interests in investigating and solving the mystery of this single crash.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "It’s a book about hi-tech sleuths racing against time and looming danger to solve an unfathomable mystery: why commercial airliners in seemingly perfect working order flipped over and fell from the sky. Author Byrne manages this in a style that is both suspenseful and educational … . Highly recommended for anyone interested in technology and/or aviation … ." (Wordtrade.com, Issue 1, 2003) "Byrne, an internationally recognized science journalist, has crafted a detailed, compelling chronicle about solving the riddles of an airline disaster. … Byrne probes the engineering variables, corporate politics, and federal bureaucracies that characterized the investigation of these incidents. … Highly recommended. All levels." (R. E. Bilstein, Choice, January, 2003) "In 1994, a commercial jetliner crashed on its approach to Pittsburgh International Airport … . British science writer Byrne investigates why it took so long to uncover and disclose the rare but lethal design flaw in the Boeing 737. Intelligently written, drawing in readers without dwelling on the stories of the victims, the narrative instead focuses on the technology and the politics involved." (SciTech Book News, December, 2002)

From the Inside Flap

. . . At 2 minutes and 57 seconds past 7:00, three thumps are heard in the cockpit. "Sheez!" exclaims Germano. "Zuh," says Emmett almost simultaneously. Then there is another mysterious thump. Germano inhales and exhales rapidly. There's an unknown clicking sound, then another thump, this time softer. "Whoa," says Germano, and there's more mysterious clicking and Emmett grunts. There's another, different clicking sound and Germano yells, "Hang on!" The aircraft's engines power up and there's more grunting, louder this time, from Emmett. "Hang on," repeats Germano, and there's another click and the sound of the autopilot-disconnect warning, a wailing horn. . . .

"What the hell is this?" asks Germano as various automated warnings go off in the cockpit. "What the . . . ," he repeats. "Oh," says Emmett. "Oh God, Oh God," says Germano. Then the approach controller cuts in and he's only just said "USAir . . ." when Germano yells into the radio mike, "Four twenty-seven emergency!"

"Shit," says Emmett. "Pull!" yells Germano. "Oh shit," says Emmett, "Pull, pull," says Germano. "God," says Emmett, and Germano screams. "No!" yells Emmett, and the recording suddenly ends.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (July 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038795256X
• ISBN-13: 978-0387952567
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,575,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Prize-winning writer Gerry Byrne is a noted broadcaster and writer on aerospace and science topics in Ireland and the UK. Twice voted Science Journalist of the Year in Ireland he also won a popular journalism award from the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division for a story on the sunspot cycle.

A former staff writer with the Sunday Tribune and The Sunday Press newspapers, Byrne has contributed extensively to New Scientist magazine and the Daily Telegraph on a variety of science issues in addition to featuring on most Irish newspapers, radio and TV stations as a commentator on science and aviation issues.

His next book will be The Barefoot Sailor, a biography of Irish gun runner and yachtsman, Conor O'Brien, who, after supplying guns used by Irish rebels in 1916, became famous for an epic circumnavigation, the first by an amateur yachtsman following the great clipper ship route. O'Brien's grandfather was sentenced to be hung after leading an ill-fated rebellion in 1848 but his own father supported the British in putting down a subsequent rebellion.

Byrne is also a keen yachtsman and sails regularly from Skerries. He plans a website for adults aiming to take up sailing. In 1999 he sailed part of the Whitbread (now Volvo) Round the World Yacht Race from Uruguay to Florida and co-authored a book on the race. He lives by the sea on Ireland's scenic East Coast and enjoys views of the Mountains of Mourne. Prospective agents (he seeks US representation) and publishers may contact him on [e-mail].
(Photo credit Marie Farrell)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Account Of The 737 Rudder Accidents And Issues, August 23, 2005

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster (Hardcover)

"Flight 427" is a book that Gerry Byrne can be rightfully proud of. I have been interested in this subject for many years now both as an airline pilot (I flew the 737 for almost two years, and must in all candor say that it was my least favorite of the nine different airliner types that I have flown; In all fairness to Boeing, many of my colleagues seem to really enjoy flying the 737, but after my personal experience with the plane, I still can't understand why) and a student (I wrote my Master's thesis on a quantitative systems safety comparison of 737 and A-320 primary flight control systems.) Of the two books on the market which focus on USAir flight 427 (the other, by Bill Adair, is also excellent) I give this one the slight edge for the average reader or the person most interested in how the NTSB "Party System" functions at a major aviation accident.

Byrne carefully weaves the story of flight 427 in with the earlier United 585 accident (same cause) and the later Eastwind 517 incident (also the same cause) skillfully and with generally quite good technical accuracy (there are a couple of very minor technical errors, but they are inconsequential and would not be noticed by most people.) What I really appreciate about the book is Byrne's breadth of sources in reporting on not only well known and understood matters, but also on very obscure, but important background information like all the early Frontier 737 rudder malfunctions, which few are familiar with.

The real story here is of the frustrating experience of investigating such a complex and politically charged investigation. There is no question that Boeing comes off looking bad by the end of the book, and I have to admit, deservedly so.

The only weakness in the book is the total lack of illustrations. This is a topic that could really use illustrations, particularly when Byrne starts discussing things like the interior functions of the dual-concentric servo valve, which was ultimately the problem here.

This is a great book, and I highly recommend it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and concise account, April 26, 2004

By 

Dave Udden (Foxboro, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster (Hardcover)

The author Gerry Byrne ought to be proud of this book. The book starts off with the crash of United flight 585 in Colorado Springs, another Boeing 737 aircraft that mysteriously flipped over and crashed while trying to land. The investigation of the United accident opened the door to a possible design problem with the rudder on the 737 airplane. The book then covers the US Air flight 427 accident that crashed in a way very similar to United 585. I couldn't put this book down. Even though this book is non-fiction and at times very technical it is written in a way that is comfortable to read and you really understand the detail in context with what is very complex story. There is one point in the book where Gerry describes a rudder test conducted at Boeing on a rainy night where an engineer finally is able to reproduce a rudder reversal problem which was suspected by the NTSB for a long time. In context with the story this was a point where you really breath a sigh of releif... But even than the story the investigation takes more unsuspected turns. Great book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but lacking, January 1, 2003

By 

M. Ehrman "K9 Consultant" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flight 427: Anatomy of an Air Disaster (Hardcover)

I agree with the other reviews of this book in that the author does a great job of keeping you interested and making it entertaining. However, I feel that book would have been greatly enhanced with the addition of some technical drawings or illustrations. The descriptions get somewhat complicated at times, and a diagram or two would ensure clear understanding. If you aren't interested in the details, then as it is written should be fine, but if you want to understand completly, diagrams are required. I also think the text jumps around quite a bit in time, not following a strictly linear timeline. While this makes for easier reading in following specific tangents and topics, it clouds the overall understanding of what is going on... I have read many crash investigation books, and this one does a credible job of mixing storytelling with technical explanations.