Has the MD-80 (commercial jet) jack screw issue been addressed since Alaska 261?

August 30, 2009

This is for you pilots and tarmac workers out there.

I love flying, but every time I am on a MD-80 I can’t help but think about the jack screw on the horizontal stabilizer. As you probably know, MD80s were designed with a rare feature: they have a "flight necessary" mechanism with no backup "redundant" support. If the jackscrew goes, like it did in Alaska 261 you’re in trouble and there isn’t anything even the best pilot can do. Its a one in a million chance, but there are a lot of MD80s out there…

To get to my question: What (if anything) has been done by the FAA or MD to fix the issue. Have any of you flown MD80s? If so, does this issue worry you or have you been trained about it.

Thanks!

Yes. The equipment is adequately designed, and the maintenance as specified by the manufacturer is adequate.

There was a one-time inspection of all DC9/MD80 jackscrews immediately after the accident, but no ADs were issued, and no additional inspections were mandated.

The AS261 aircraft was determined to have been inadequately maintained, such that the jackscrew that failed inspection was reinstalled on the airplane.

Statistically, the MD80 is on the short list of the safest airliners flying.

Posted by roy | Filed Under FAA Flight Training | 4 Comments

Has the MD-80 (commercial jet) jack screw issue been addressed since Alaska 261?

August 30, 2009

This is for you pilots and tarmac workers out there.

To get to my question: What (if anything) has been done by the FAA or MD to fix the issue. Have any of you flown MD80s? If so, does this issue worry you or have you been trained about it.

Thanks!

Yes. The equipment is adequately designed, and the maintenance as specified by the manufacturer is adequate.

There was a one-time inspection of all DC9/MD80 jackscrews immediately after the accident, but no ADs were issued, and no additional inspections were mandated.

The AS261 aircraft was determined to have been inadequately maintained, such that the jackscrew that failed inspection was reinstalled on the airplane.

Statistically, the MD80 is on the short list of the safest airliners flying.

Posted by roy | Filed Under FAA Flight Training | 4 Comments

Has the MD-80 (commercial jet) jack screw issue been addressed since Alaska 261?

August 30, 2009

This is for you pilots and tarmac workers out there.

To get to my question: What (if anything) has been done by the FAA or MD to fix the issue. Have any of you flown MD80s? If so, does this issue worry you or have you been trained about it.

Thanks!

Yes. The equipment is adequately designed, and the maintenance as specified by the manufacturer is adequate.

There was a one-time inspection of all DC9/MD80 jackscrews immediately after the accident, but no ADs were issued, and no additional inspections were mandated.

The AS261 aircraft was determined to have been inadequately maintained, such that the jackscrew that failed inspection was reinstalled on the airplane.

Statistically, the MD80 is on the short list of the safest airliners flying.

Posted by roy | Filed Under FAA Flight Training | 4 Comments

Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings

August 30, 2009

This video produced by the FAA discusses some of the common errors and problems ociated with crosswind takeoffs and landings. Although the film is older, it is a classic and really does help give a good overview of crosswind landing techniques including the slip and crab.