Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and Aircraft Crashes (Paperback)

by Steven Cushing (Author) "The Tenerife and John Wayne accidents both involved ambiguities, as was noted in the introduction, the former in the preposition at, and the latter in..." (more)
Key Phrases: intelligent voice interface, alert dialogue box, bracketed dialogue, Air Cal, Papa Beacon, United States (more...)

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Product Description

On March 27, 1977, 583 people died when KLM and Pan Am 747s collided on a crowded, foggy runway in Tenerife, the Canary Islands. The cause, a miscommunication between the pilot and the air traffic controller. The pilot radioed, "We are now at takeoff," meaning that the plane was lifting off, but the tower controller misunderstood and thought the plane was waiting on the runway.

In Fatal Words, Steven Cushing explains how miscommunication has led to dozens of aircraft disasters, and he proposes innovative solutions for preventing them. He examines ambiguities in language when aviation jargon and colloquial English are mixed, when a word is used that has different meanings, and when different words are used that sound alike. To remedy these problems, Cushing proposes a visual communication system and a computerized voice mechanism to help clear up confusing language.

Fatal Words is an accessible explanation of some of the most notorious aircraft tragedies of our time, and it will appeal to scholars in communications, linguistics, and cognitive science, to aviation experts, and to general readers.

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Product Details Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (May 15, 1997) Language: English ISBN-10: 0226132013 ISBN-13: 978-0226132013 Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #581,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #92 in  Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Aviation > Commercial

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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First Sentence:
The Tenerife and John Wayne accidents both involved ambiguities, as was noted in the introduction, the former in the preposition at, and the latter in the verb hold. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
intelligent voice interface, alert dialogue box, bracketed dialogue, full readback, repetition replicates, low altitude alert, parser files, descent clearance, flight level, pilot reports, assigned altitude, controller reports, departure control, altimeter setting, aviation communication, filter program, approach controller

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Air Cal, Papa Beacon, United States

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 6 books:

• Space Technology (Young Scientist) by World Book Inc. in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Cognitive Constraints on Communication: Representations and Processes (Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy) by L.M. Vaina in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Human-Computer Dialogue Design (Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2) by Roger W. Ehrich in Back Matter
• Morphology Now (Suny Series in Linguistics) by Mark Aronoff in Back Matter
• San Francisco, California by California State Automobile Association in Front Matter

See all 6 books this book cites

 

6 books cite this book:

• Power Talk: Using Language to Build Authority and Influence by Sarah Myers McGinty on page 156, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Power Talk: Using Language to Build Authority and Influence by Sarah Myers McGinty on page 156, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Tapping Diverse Talent in Aviation: Culture, Gender, and Diversity (Studies in Aviation Psychology and Human Factors) by Mary Ann Turney on page 41, and page 103
• Group Interaction In High Risk Environments by Rainer Dietrich in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
• Inviting Disaster: Lessons From the Edge of Technology by James R. Chiles in Back Matter

See all 6 books citing this book

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

101 Things To Do With Your Private Pilot's License by LeRoy Cook

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• altimeter setting

Once A Fighter Pilot by Jerry Cook

Discusses:

• flight level
• assigned altitude
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Flight Discipline by Anthony Kern

Discusses:

• assigned altitude
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Pilot's Pocket Decoder by Christopher Abbe

Discusses:

• low altitude alert
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Your Pilot's License by Jerry Eichenberger

Discusses:

• pilot reports
• altimeter setting
• approach controller

101 Things To Do With Your Private Pilot's License by LeRoy Cook Discusses: flight level pilot reports departure control The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying by Dan Ramsey Discusses: assigned altitude departure control altimeter setting Once A Fighter Pilot by Jerry Cook Discusses: flight level assigned altitude departure control Flight Discipline by Anthony Kern Discusses: assigned altitude controller reports altimeter setting Loading...

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 3.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 13 of 13 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars For Linguists, Pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers Only, April 2, 2004 By  Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    "Fatal Words" is a totally unique book, and it is impossible to pigeonhole. Is it a book on transformational grammar for linguists? Is it a book of miscommunications, and the resultant impact on aviation safety? Is it a book on computer programming? Actually, it's all three. I bought the book to read from an air safety standpoint, given that I am an airline pilot. I found the book very interesting but very tough reading in parts, and occasionally a bit unfocused. The book is in three parts, plus a very long technical appendix. The first part concerns itself with language use, and includes many examples from not only NTSB Accident Reports, but from ASRS 'Callback' (published by NASA) that were from incidents. Although I generally agree on all his points and would highly encourage all pilots and Air Traffic Controllers to heed his warnings (and to examine their speech for potential errors of the types Dr. Cushing points out) there are a couple of minor exceptions I take to statements he makes or assumptions he has about pilot-controller language use, particularly in reference to the word "hold" in the Air California gear up landing accident. Overall, though, it is a brilliant analysis. Part two is similar to part one in that it focuses on communication problems not related to language (numbers, radios, etc.). Both parts one and two are four chapters long per part. The analysis in part two is my favorite part of the book, and relates issues such as transposed digits, limitations of radios, the 10 versus 11 problem so common in altitude violations, etc. This is the part that has unparalleled insight into pilot-controller communications interactions and the foibles that can result. Every pilot and controller should read part two. Part three deals with proposed solutions to the problem, and in this section he details a machine that can interpret language, check grammar, sentence structure, and meaning before allowing a message to be transmitted. He admits that this is a long time in the future, and proposes a short term data link system. I realize the machine he developed, while excellent research, is a prototype, but with all respect to the efforts of Dr. Cushing and his graduate students, I feel he may be barking up the wrong tree. The constructs of the machine are so complex, and the commands and menu options he envisions are so unwieldy that I can't imagine a machine that checks grammar and content of every transmission, and won't (at least to my understanding) let any non-database words pass its parser, being fast enough to keep up with the Air Traffic Control needs of Jackson, MS, much less LaGuardia at five in the afternoon. I am absolutely not closed minded on this subject, and am a huge proponent of CPDLC, which was in testing by American Airlines and Miami Center last year. I would love to see a revised edition of the book (it was published in 1994) with the latest technology added and the computer programs he developed to be updated and possibly integrated with CPDLC. The appendix is a very detailed (excruciating to a non-computer programmer) explanation of the constructs of his lab test system containing two computers that could converse with each other via the data link system and menus he developed. I read it, but only marginally grasped the material. The appendix information is best ignored by pilots and controllers, although it is probably very insightful to programmers and linguists. Overall it is the best book I have seen on the role of communications in aviation accidents, and I give it four stars for two reasons only: one, it diverges into a computer programming book in the last third of the text, which I had not expected given the summaries of the work I had read; and two, Dr. Cushing numbers every line of transcript throughout the book and then makes reference to that numbered line in the discussion. This is fine when the discussion is near the quotation, but often he refers to a line number that you read about fifty pages earlier instead of reprinting the quotation which makes the reader fumble back and forth looking for the line in question. This is an excellent work overall, just understand that it is technical reading and requires a basic understanding of 'aviation English' and grammar to fully comprehend the author's discussions and analyses. I eagerly look forward to reading more by Dr. Cushing in the future. 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars EVERY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHOULD READ THIS, October 13, 2001 By  Severin Olson (Hyattsville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and Aircraft Crashes (Hardcover) In Fatal Words, Cushing describes the many ways flights can be placed in jeopardy through ambiguities of the English language. He cites real examples from around the world. A pilot told one thing may well interpret it to mean another. The cases included are quite interesting. Every air traffic controller should read it. I am not sure how to rate this book, though, because it is intended more for computer scientists and specialists than for readers like myself. The conclusions he draws and the solutions he offers must be analyzed by others with more knowledge of the subject. Readers looking for specific information on air disasters, though, should look elsewhere. 14 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Good Insight, April 2, 2000 By  Ahmed Nada "a_nada" (Egypt) - See all my reviews This book provides very good insight into the flaws that surround the communication systems used for air traffic control sometimes aggrevated by pilots and controllers not abiding by strict aviation terminology. Also highlights errors due to language barrier difficulties between pilots and air traffic controllers. Very good entertainment and educational material for those interested in the subject! I have read this book before from a friend and ordering it from amazon to read again and keep!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars Too technical for me I'm sure this book is great, but it's above my head. It's too technical. I couldn't get through it, so I re-sold it on eBay to a military air traffic controller who seemed to... Read more Published on August 13, 2001 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (May 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226132013
• ISBN-13: 978-0226132013
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #581,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #92 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Aviation > Commercial

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Linguists, Pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers Only, April 2, 2004

By	Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"Fatal Words" is a totally unique book, and it is impossible to pigeonhole. Is it a book on transformational grammar for linguists? Is it a book of miscommunications, and the resultant impact on aviation safety? Is it a book on computer programming? Actually, it's all three. I bought the book to read from an air safety standpoint, given that I am an airline pilot. I found the book very interesting but very tough reading in parts, and occasionally a bit unfocused. The book is in three parts, plus a very long technical appendix. The first part concerns itself with language use, and includes many examples from not only NTSB Accident Reports, but from ASRS 'Callback' (published by NASA) that were from incidents. Although I generally agree on all his points and would highly encourage all pilots and Air Traffic Controllers to heed his warnings (and to examine their speech for potential errors of the types Dr. Cushing points out) there are a couple of minor exceptions I take to statements he makes or assumptions he has about pilot-controller language use, particularly in reference to the word "hold" in the Air California gear up landing accident. Overall, though, it is a brilliant analysis. Part two is similar to part one in that it focuses on communication problems not related to language (numbers, radios, etc.). Both parts one and two are four chapters long per part. The analysis in part two is my favorite part of the book, and relates issues such as transposed digits, limitations of radios, the 10 versus 11 problem so common in altitude violations, etc. This is the part that has unparalleled insight into pilot-controller communications interactions and the foibles that can result. Every pilot and controller should read part two.

Part three deals with proposed solutions to the problem, and in this section he details a machine that can interpret language, check grammar, sentence structure, and meaning before allowing a message to be transmitted. He admits that this is a long time in the future, and proposes a short term data link system. I realize the machine he developed, while excellent research, is a prototype, but with all respect to the efforts of Dr. Cushing and his graduate students, I feel he may be barking up the wrong tree. The constructs of the machine are so complex, and the commands and menu options he envisions are so unwieldy that I can't imagine a machine that checks grammar and content of every transmission, and won't (at least to my understanding) let any non-database words pass its parser, being fast enough to keep up with the Air Traffic Control needs of Jackson, MS, much less LaGuardia at five in the afternoon. I am absolutely not closed minded on this subject, and am a huge proponent of CPDLC, which was in testing by American Airlines and Miami Center last year. I would love to see a revised edition of the book (it was published in 1994) with the latest technology added and the computer programs he developed to be updated and possibly integrated with CPDLC. The appendix is a very detailed (excruciating to a non-computer programmer) explanation of the constructs of his lab test system containing two computers that could converse with each other via the data link system and menus he developed. I read it, but only marginally grasped the material. The appendix information is best ignored by pilots and controllers, although it is probably very insightful to programmers and linguists.

Overall it is the best book I have seen on the role of communications in aviation accidents, and I give it four stars for two reasons only: one, it diverges into a computer programming book in the last third of the text, which I had not expected given the summaries of the work I had read; and two, Dr. Cushing numbers every line of transcript throughout the book and then makes reference to that numbered line in the discussion. This is fine when the discussion is near the quotation, but often he refers to a line number that you read about fifty pages earlier instead of reprinting the quotation which makes the reader fumble back and forth looking for the line in question. This is an excellent work overall, just understand that it is technical reading and requires a basic understanding of 'aviation English' and grammar to fully comprehend the author's discussions and analyses. I eagerly look forward to reading more by Dr. Cushing in the future.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars EVERY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHOULD READ THIS, October 13, 2001

By	Severin Olson (Hyattsville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and Aircraft Crashes (Hardcover)

In Fatal Words, Cushing describes the many ways flights can be placed in jeopardy through ambiguities of the English language. He cites real examples from around the world. A pilot told one thing may well interpret it to mean another. The cases included are quite interesting. Every air traffic controller should read it. I am not sure how to rate this book, though, because it is intended more for computer scientists and specialists than for readers like myself. The conclusions he draws and the solutions he offers must be analyzed by others with more knowledge of the subject. Readers looking for specific information on air disasters, though, should look elsewhere.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Insight, April 2, 2000

By	Ahmed Nada "a_nada" (Egypt) - See all my reviews

This book provides very good insight into the flaws that surround the communication systems used for air traffic control sometimes aggrevated by pilots and controllers not abiding by strict aviation terminology. Also highlights errors due to language barrier difficulties between pilots and air traffic controllers. Very good entertainment and educational material for those interested in the subject! I have read this book before from a friend and ordering it from amazon to read again and keep!