A truck almost hit me today

[KMEM]

I came within two feel of a truck today which, if it had hit me, would have been catostrophic and, likely, I would have died. Oh, wait, we were in parallel lanes on the interstate system and this happens millions and millions of times each and every day.

 

The ABC report of two airliners almost colliding near DEN is a very similar incident. I hate it when errors occur and this appears to be a controller error. After all, I am up there in the air depending upon controllers very often during each and every year. I also hate it when pilots make errors or any others. It does happen. After all, we are human. These two aircraft apparently came within 200 feet vertically and less than two miles horizontally from each other. That is a "technical" near miss and is by definition. Remember that truck was 2 feet from me and these two aircraft were thousands of feet apart. This is also called a procedural error. Here is a VERY important point. There were at least three back up systems available to avoid a collision; one, the controllers computer issued several warnings of a "close encounter"; two and three, each aircraft had a TCAS system on board which not only warns of other aircraft but gives instructions on how to evade the other aircraft. Obviously, one or more of these systems worked.

 

There should be a review of procedures, perhaps a recertification of the controller involved and VERY LITTLE press coverage of largely a non-event.

 

Best regards,

 

KMEM

 

TCAS = Traffic Collison and Avoidance System

[Romann]

Sorry to hear about your near death experience. I can see how that would rattle anyone to their core and it will for sure be something that you remember for oh so many years to come.

 

I thought that all airliners were equipped with avoidance systems years ago or am I mistaken on that?

[Guest DuchessIvanaKizznhugg]

Nice idea.........

 

There should be a review of procedures, perhaps a recertification of the controller involved and VERY LITTLE press coverage of largely a non-event.

 

But just think.....the FEAR of it all. Such a great opportinuty to fill the void left by swine flu. And besides, the media's got to change away from Tiger Woods for a bit....we're getting bored already.

 

It's a nice idea KMEM, but corporate media and public responsibility are definiately on two different tracks

[KMEM]

Romann-

 

Thanks for your concern but I was never in any more danger than each and every one of you when you drive.

 

Duchess-

 

Yes, of course, the FEAR of it ALL.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Romann]

I was never in any more danger than each and every one of you when you drive.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

 

Very true! Though, there are other ways I would like to go.

[Guest greatness]

Oh my

 

Be careful!

 

 

I came within two feel of a truck today which, if it had hit me, would have been catostrophic and, likely, I would have died. Oh, wait, we were in parallel lanes on the interstate system and this happens millions and millions of times each and every day.

 

The ABC report of two airliners almost colliding near DEN is a very similar incident. I hate it when errors occur and this appears to be a controller error. After all, I am up there in the air depending upon controllers very often during each and every year. I also hate it when pilots make errors or any others. It does happen. After all, we are human. These two aircraft apparently came within 200 feet vertically and less than two miles horizontally from each other. That is a "technical" near miss and is by definition. Remember that truck was 2 feet from me and these two aircraft were thousands of feet apart. This is also called a procedural error. Here is a VERY important point. There were at least three back up systems available to avoid a collision; one, the controllers computer issued several warnings of a "close encounter"; two and three, each aircraft had a TCAS system on board which not only warns of other aircraft but gives instructions on how to evade the other aircraft. Obviously, one or more of these systems worked.

 

There should be a review of procedures, perhaps a recertification of the controller involved and VERY LITTLE press coverage of largely a non-event.

 

Best regards,

 

KMEM

 

TCAS = Traffic Collison and Avoidance System

[Guest LeoWalker]

KMEM, it does sound a bit hyped up. Now, though, wasn't there an actual situation the occurred recently...? I remember hearing a recording of the traffic controller shouting at the two pilots, "Stop! Stop! Stop!". But, I'm sure that was a completely different situation.

[Boston Guy]

I think the average person on the street has very little knowledge of the flying part of aviation. Most people have experienced it as a passenger and are familiar with coach class, seat-back tables, flight attendants, etc., etc. But they don't really understand much of what goes on up in the front office.

 

The lack of knowledge leads to fear. We all understand what's going on as we drive down the highway so most of us do not drive in a state of near-panic. But the "flying" part of airline travel is so removed from the passenger experience that the unknown makes the risk loom much, much larger than it really is.

 

The airlines, FAA, NTSB and the rest of the aviation community have done a great job over the decades in terms of lessening the risk of air travel (especially by airline). But the average passenger doesn't see that and, I think, really does suspect that those big sardine cans in the sky are just about always going to collide with each other.

 

BG

[instudiocity]

I came within two feel of a truck today which, if it had hit me, would have been catostrophic and, likely, I would have died. Oh, wait, we were in parallel lanes on the interstate system and this happens millions and millions of times each and every day.

 

The ABC report of two airliners almost colliding near DEN is a very similar incident. I hate it when errors occur and this appears to be a controller error. After all, I am up there in the air depending upon controllers very often during each and every year. I also hate it when pilots make errors or any others. It does happen. After all, we are human. These two aircraft apparently came within 200 feet vertically and less than two miles horizontally from each other. That is a "technical" near miss and is by definition. Remember that truck was 2 feet from me and these two aircraft were thousands of feet apart. This is also called a procedural error. Here is a VERY important point. There were at least three back up systems available to avoid a collision; one, the controllers computer issued several warnings of a "close encounter"; two and three, each aircraft had a TCAS system on board which not only warns of other aircraft but gives instructions on how to evade the other aircraft. Obviously, one or more of these systems worked.

 

There should be a review of procedures, perhaps a recertification of the controller involved and VERY LITTLE press coverage of largely a non-event.

 

Best regards,

 

KMEM

 

TCAS = Traffic Collison and Avoidance System

 

Yes, BUT, that truck was traveling 4,840 feet per second and those airplanes were traveling at 44,000 fee per second. You might have been 1/10 of a second away from the truck hitting you but in a parallel universe, those plane were too!

[KMEM]

BG-

 

I think we SHOULD be driving in a near state of panic or at least extremely alert.

 

I tend to agree with the lessening of risk but I think safety is more an attitude than rules and regulations, although we need both.

 

The only point I was trying to make was two airliners DID come within several thousand feet of each other AND that did constitue a procedural error. I thought ABC made a bit too much of it, but then the media always does, doesn't it?

 

LeoWalker-

 

I think that was a conservative at one end of a runway and a liberal at the other and both were cleared to take off at the same time. The controller then said, you all be careful, now.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[KMEM]

Yes, BUT, that truck was traveling 4,840 feet per second and those airplanes were traveling at 44,000 fee per second. You might have been 1/10 of a second away from the truck hitting you but in a parallel universe, those plane were too!

 

Actually, I think they were traveling more like 400 feet per second. The closest they came to occupying the same space was about 10,200 feet; therefore they had about about 12 seconds before impact if on a direct collision course, which they were not. In case you are wondering about the 12 seconds (as opposed to 24) it is because they EACH were traveling at 400 feet per second ( a total of 800).

 

BTW, 60 MPH is 88 feet per second. That would be over the speed limit where I was but a likely speed.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Boston Guy]

BG-

 

I think we SHOULD be driving in a near state of panic or at least extremely alert.

 

I tend to agree with the lessening of risk but I think safety is more an attitude than rules and regulations, although we need both.

 

 

I agree.

 

BG

[raulgmanzo]

... I thought ABC made a bit too much of it, but then the media always does, doesn't it?

 

Yeah the media - AKA huge entertainment conglomerates - will try and spin things bigger than life for our entertainment uhh I mean safety of course.

 

It is interesting how perception varies based on familiarity with the situation. Your example is great because many people would be content to be two feet from that truck WHILE they talked on the phone, fished for some paperwork and their child slept head against the glass on the side next to the truck.

 

It is easy to witness a continuous stream of near death moments if one looks for it AND is not yet comfortable with judging distance, direction, speed and terrain for whatever form of transport. Years ago when I started cycling in the city it took me a while to realize I wasn't going to die every couple seconds.

However being that car crashes are the greatest cause of accidental death, and the greatest cause of ANY death in youth, AND given that most driving could be largely and economically replaced with safer, less consumptive modes of transport (like walking) it is sad IMHO that the media doesn't focus more on the dangers and near misses of driving.