I’m not saying that building or designing a plane is an easy job, quite the contrary. As everything in this world compromises are unavoidable but there is a big difference between making a reasonable compromise and making a blatant mistake. There can be no (IMHO) excuse of any kind for installing backup battery (last source of power for vital systems and last straw of hope in case of emergency) above main battery other than pure incompetency or blatant cost savings. Even more disturbing fact is that something like that gets approved…
Either whole system sucks or someone is deliberately cutting corners and costs to make it’s pockets even more full.
I’m in no way related to aircraft industry but you would be surprised how total stranger in certain field can spot things that are not evident even to experts…
The ten Sanyo UR18650ZY 2600 mAh that I ordered from WallBuys last 01 January 2014 arrived two days ago - finally - after more than 2 months ‘transporting’. They were also shipped through Malaysia Mail.
At least I’m pretty sure the cells that might have caused this chaos are not mine.
Best info I have read suggests the plane is sitting either in Pakistan or Iran, and for political reasons its being covered up for now. Too much info has leaked on the radical pilot and two Iranian’s with stolen passports to assume some mechanical issue.
When I got out of the Marines and was trying to get my A&P license at Embry Riddle in Houston just off the end of the runway at Hobby airport, there was a joke told by one of the instructors, an airplane will get signed off when the paperwork outweighs the plane itself…I can believe it as just on the maintenance side the paperwork is INSANE!
Just read two more articles trying to blame the “crash” on the battery cargo.One expert went on to say that a battery fire would explain why the jet climbed to 45K feet.Wow, batteries can make a jet go way up high and way down low.I guess I’ll have to leave my 18650’s, tablet,cell phone and power packs at home when I go on spring break.Better charge up my eneloops.I’m sure the TSA is going to jump all over this sh J)
Actually, now seems the manifest shows it was 440 lbs or 200 KG of li-ion batteries. Not seen any sizes or brands.
The airline called this ‘safe’ and insists it was packed according to industry standards.
I would not mind driving a truck carrying that amount. I would just as soon not fly over some of the world’s most desolate oceans with that on board. There is a reason many airlines will not ship li-ions.
That's tragic. I feel bad for the passengers and their families that perished.
On the other hand, based on speculation I can't see how fire caused by lithium batteries made the plane go off course by 1000 kms in the opposite direction of their original flight path. However I wouldn't doubt that Maylasian Airlines will be changing their stance on lithium batteries in their cargo hold going forward.
No, the explanation that will likely come out is the second (junior) pilot flew a suicide mission.
The lithium batteries had no effect on the transponders being turned off or the plane turning 180 degrees.
The non stop media coverage reminded me of the lyrics in this Don Henly song, Dirty Laundry;
“We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who
Comes on at five
She can tell you ’bout the plane crash with a gleam
In her eye
It’s interesting when people die-
Give us dirty laundry”
Anyway, Condolences to all the families caught up in the middle of this mess.
May the victims RIP.
Excellent post. We will probably never know what happened, or maybe not ever know the entire truth. Either way, this is an unfortunately great time to re-quote a classic song that rips the media. I certainly share condolences as well, this is horrible, sad and tragic for a lot of people and their families.
Am I the only person watching "The Blacklist" on NBC? Watch episode 2, called "The Freelancer". It explains exactly what happen to this plane. An assassin, that disguises all of his assassinations with large-scale tragic accidents. Very unfortunate for all those innocent passengers.
By the way, it's one of the best shows on right now! Just as good as "Scandal" and "Revenge" lol.
