Monday, August 24, 2009

Seair -- is it safe?

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090823/tap-philippines-air-accident-5cc1ef8.html -- the pilot should have rooted for a misapproach if there's a crosswind at course and try to make a re-attempt to get a better look for a landing.

I've watch a good number of Air Crash Investigation episodes and crosswind is a mere hurdle to jump over for any pilot. Crosswind pushes the aircraft to a different direction which makes the aircraft misaligned with the runway, with that being said, the aircraft must fly slower than the standard calculation for the final approach which will give enough time to manoeuver the aircraft back on the track in a crosswind situation for a safe landing. It's easier said than done because the pilot must re-calculate everything, and fly the aircraft on a lower altitude on the final approach which can end up a short landing on the runway or a misapproach - which could have been a better choice for the Seair pilot.

It has been the second Seair accident which occurred this year. Now I'm having second thoughts if I'll still go to Boracay with the said airline next month..

No comments: