He was the lead test pilot for the A320 in its development. at the end he did try and regain altitude and power, but, alas, he did not allow the 8 seconds for the engines to spool up to full power. *Whos going to fly the goddamn airplanes in the future? And that's a big systematic default. But the take home message, why do you spend every day at work in the cross-hairs of numerous non-producers who cant do the job, but are stalking you? The translated version of the report can be found on the Aviation Accidents Database and at the Aviation Safety Network. A captain is ultimately responsible for the aircraft, its crew and the passengers! It's about commercial aviation, and I've tried to include all the relevant facts for you to draw conclusions. There is even a program for pilots who make mistakes and errors to fess up. Even if his boss said fly at 100ft or you will lose your job he should not have flown at that height. Asseline should've used Radar Altimeter when flying at such a low level. Michel Asseline (Captain) After being sentenced, was temporarily banned from flying in France as part of a court agreement, moved to Australia and flew 737s. Safety is the first thing I learned and the last from my instructors. Captain Michel Asseline "44" Second Officer Pierre Mazire "45" Captain Asseline has logged 10,463 flight hours while First Officer Maziere . For any pilot to forgo any safety precaution puts that pilot at risk and anyone flying with the pilot. Since the plane was going slow, the computer overrode his input, and denied the maneuver. This is a sad but fundamental truth lying at the heart of human nature. Air France was especially impressed with the A320, which was the first fly-by-wire airplane ever to carry passengers. Claiming he couldnt hear or read the radio altimeter is ridiculous. The third was a woman who had reached the front door and then returned to help the girl. It threatened to ruin the reputation of the A320, potentially losing many millions of dollars in sales. This more than anything caused the crash. It threatened to ruin the reputation of the A320, potentially losing many millions of dollars in sales. He has admitted these mistakes and paid for them. Edit. The flight attendant then began evacuating the passengers but they soon began to pile up at the bottom of the slide as their route was blocked by trees and branches. In 1997, all five were found guilty. Agreed, the aircraft was not responsible for the reckless manner in which it was flown, the aircraft was not the captain -- you were Mr. Asseline. Michael failed to obey the rule Michael choose to not only ignore it for himself but for every one on the plane. He is a man of honor. *Defects come in all shades. A pilot should ALWAYS be able to immediately over-ride computer systems in critical moments, such as seeing another aircraft on his runway and needing to suddenly pull up. This Pin was discovered by flygcforum.com. The first crash that comes to mind is the one where that CRJ2 crashed because it took off on the wrong runway and the only survivor was one of the pilots. It may have. It's kind of hard to prove that pilots and conditions WOULD have messed up if they had truly been in control of all flights all these years. Tail and Winglet closeups with beautiful airline logos. You must learn and follow the rules otherwise you may DIE or kill someone else and die.This one fact that Michael choose to fly at 100ft that Michael performed as the pilot in charge of this Aircraft is sufficient to place the guilt firmly in his lap. Any doctor who tries to practice in medicine today, except for my colleagues in Direct Primary Care, live in the world of Captain Michel Asseline every day. He cannot blame the aircraft because it didn't respond the way he wanted - he is expected to know how it will respond. The flight plan originally filed did not include the flyover of the Habsheim Air Show, which was added on the morning of the flight. [1] A training captain since 1979, Asseline was appointed to head the company's A320 training subdivision at the end of 1987. There is evidence for this: -- Asseline was the pilot in charge of training others on this airplane, but he is on record saying that he found the secondary digital altimeter to be unreadable, and to this day he hasn't been able to use it during flight.-- The planned maneuver was unusually aggressive for a jet-- Plans for the demonstration were rushed and the information provided to the pilots failed to reveal important details about the location of the airshow -- pilots were given instructions for a runway the airshow was not using, and the maps of the airfield did not show trees. You don't need to think as much you just do. Get a job criticizing nobody blames you for doing that. He should never have put it into that situation. The captain would make a low-level fly-pass over Runway 02, climb up and turn back, and repeat the fly-pass over the same runway in the reciprocal direction (Runway 20). Now he was not planning on landing so these were of no interest to him.So then what safety reason would he have to go around? When he increased throttle to level off at 100ft, the engines did not respond. Do you think Airbus truly covered up a serious flaw in their aircraft? As Air France's technical pilot, he had been heavily involved in test flying the A320 type and had carried out maneuvers beyond normal operational limitations. The pilot and copilot were charged and convicted of three counts of involuntary manslaughter in the French criminal courts. But the truth is that the new technology has caused some crashes as well. Views from inside the cockpit, Aircraft Cabins If we try to eliminate error altogether, we're kidding ourselves. To pull a low-altitude stunt like that, with no margin of error AND with PASSENGERS ABOARD beggars belief! Thirty-four passengers required hospitalisation for injuries and burns. *Captain Michel Asseline got thrown under the Airbus. Man can find signs of manipulation in recorded data, missing data etc. Couldn't even begin to imagine what he has gone through. In reality, that only ensures that one pilot never makes the mistake again. [2] Mazires had 10,853 hours of flight time. If he wants to skylark on his own with the permission of the aircrafts owner where he can't hurt others, then fine, but the passengers expect utmost safety - not extraordinary risk taking. The press was aboard. Oddly enough, so is a reporter who was ON the flight.-- Asseline is flying in Austraila now.-- Several other Airbus's with fly-by-wire systems like the 320 have crashed due to a similar issue. There is a flying carpet and its pilot; and there is a veritable sewer of filth which has been swept beneath it and has not yet been revealed to the public. He gave the best he could to make it fly. I should estimate that in my experience most troubles and most possibilities for improvement add up to the proportions something like this: 94% belongs to the system (responsibility of management), 6% special. Page 315 of Out of the Crisis by Dr. W. Edwards Deming. The plane crashed because of a design defect; but because it was software and not metal, it was ignored. Because the aircraft's altitude had fallen below 100ft, the plane's computer may have been programmed to believe it was landing and therefore prevent any drastic manoeuvres from either pilot. Big business wins in the end and Captain Asseline took the fall. Interruption of the power occurred forward of the tail sectionmost probably in the wheel-well area, which was heavily damaged. To confirm, a close friend and colleague worked with M. Asseline for a simulator acceptance, and assessed him also as over-confident to the point of being arrogant. Captain is The Best. There is interesting evidence in Asseline's favor: -- The black box from the crashed flight indicates that Asseline did correctly instruct the plane to pull out of the maneuver when he realized he was coming into trees, but that the plane lowered the elevator to put the nose down. airfrance took 4secs to respond too. Captain Michel Asseline served a year in prison. He was supposed to conduct a low-level pass over the runway at . Black boxes ware confiscated 10 days after accident, not directly after that. Menu. The pilot called out to the co-pilot for emergency power. . [3][8] Airbus made a detailed rebuttal of these claims in a document published in 1991, contending that the independent investigator employed by the filmmakers made an error when synchronising the recordings based on a misunderstanding of how the "Radio Transmit" parameter on the flight data recorder functioned.[9]. This particular flight was the A320's first passenger flight (most of those on board were journalists and raffle winners). Asseline was initially sentenced to six months in prison along with twelve months of probation. He was a highly distinguished pilot with 10,463 flight hours to his credit. and the rule he broke was the defining factor that caused the accident. Since the plane was going slow, the computer overrode his input, and denied the maneuver. Captain Asseline, and four other Air France employees are convicted of involuntary manslaughter. What a cheek for trees to grow right where some stupid French pilot want's to crash his aircraft and KILL some of his passengers? ), The Prison of Precision by Stephen Vaughn MD, Ph.D. Asseline says, however, that he believes that the plane experienced a serious malfunction, overrode his commands, did not reflect the correct altitude (and possibly did not reflect correct speed? All the passengers were specially selected for the trip. Ultimately the pilot has to take some of the blame for this crash and the deaths. Not only was he told to go there, he was told the wrong runway to overfly. As a pilot you study this rule and there are many rules. I agree the pilot was culpable. I feel that the sentence is unfair. show at Mulhouse Habsheim in France. He was not given a map and route. This was a tragic incident. I realise you're talking about significant mistakes contributing to an accident, but when I saw the thread title "Pilots that make mistakes -- Where are they today? He had been charged with ``involuntary homicides and injuries.. The Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) continued to operate for about one second, then recorded nonsensical data for another two seconds. Taking passengers on this flight (low pass at 100Ft AGL) was a wrong thing to do. Captain Michel Asseline served a year in prison. Not easy, but not impossible. I take my hat off to the captain. If he was unaware that the plane's altimeter was in feet and not meters he still bears the responsibility of flying too low. However why were passengers allowed on this flight. as much as I want to believe that Asseline is not to blame, unfortunately he is. Have you ever feared losing your job? One of the worst things you can do if a pilot makes a mistake, is fire him thinking that the problem is solved. Today, the captain, Michel Asseline has lost his French pilot license for 8 years. Captain Asseline was flying to Mont Blanc, period. 3 passengers died in the accident and about 50 were injured. Pilots that make mistakes -- Where are they today? [2], The official investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), the French air accident investigation bureau, in conjunction with Air France and Airbus. Two fire trucks at the airshow set off and an ambulance followed. That was sheer stupidity. Captain Michel Asseline asserted that the altimeter read 30m (100'). Aside from the strong evidence that Air France, Airbus and the nation itself may well have had a hand in falsifying data related to the crash, there are several very important points to take away in this very sad and tragic story. Airport overviews from the air or ground, Tails and Winglets ButThe black boxes shown in court were clearly NOT the ones from the plane and many questionable and/or unauthorized persons DID have access to them at various times in the investigation. This response of the engines complied with their certification data.[2]. passenger, journalist, Airbus A320 family, aircraft pilot, airplane | 34K views, 176 likes, 1 loves, 48 comments, 47 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from. It then takes one second more to go from 67 to 83% N1. I think, it was easier to charge captain, than continue in investigation and may find out faults of someone or something else. The plane took off from nearby Basel/Mulhouse at 14:41 and climbed to 1,000 feet. It is extremely likely that the programming of the anti-stall functionality that Airbus admits is part of the plane's control system design, never anticipated this type of maneuver. It might have been acceptable if only the flight crew were aboard, otherwise totally irresponsible. Some faceless desk-pilot added on a trip to a tiny airfield on the day of the flight but did not bother to do the hard work of preparing the particulars necessary to do so. And cheaper! If I did know their names I certainly would not tell you. Captain Asseline, who maintained his innocence, would go on to serve ten months of prison and a further ten months of probation.[3]. Why be a sucker? National Association of Veteran Affairs Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD) is the official national organization of VA physicians and dentists who proudly serve our nation's veterans. Today, they would perform a flyover at the Habsheim Air Show at the Habsheim Aerodrome and go on to a sightseeing tour of Mont Blanc. Losing altitude at the last minute. The crash was a great embarrassment to Air France and Airbus, a European company with deep roots in France. My feeling: pilot did as he was told by air France. Ascending at such an angle would lead to the planes stalling within minutes. Heres a story about me and you. Overflight at this altitude made the demonstration to the crowd even more awe-inspiring. Four seconds later, the aircraft begins striking the treetops. By that time the aircraft had touched the trees. I'd give the pilot 30-40% responsibility for the crash. The aircraft was on ground for a week for saftety checks and the captain was downgraded for 2 years to a FO. The pilot was told, word-of-mouth, to do so. He didnt familiarize himself with the airfield as he should have and he must take responsibility for flying at only 30 feet instead of 100ft. Him thinking that the altimeter read 30m ( 100 & # x27 ; ) about! And the last from my instructors -- Where are they today unfortunately he is program for who. He should never have put it into that situation learned and the deaths to six months prison! 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To the co-pilot for emergency power fly the goddamn airplanes in the future data Recorder DFDR! 50 were injured overrode his input, and denied the maneuver France especially. Employees are convicted of three counts of involuntary manslaughter black boxes ware confiscated 10 after. Go there, he was unaware that the new technology has caused some as! This crash and the rule michael choose to not only ignore it for himself but for one... The wheel-well area, which was heavily damaged just do may find out faults of or! Nobody blames you for doing that lose your job he should not have flown at that.. Computer overrode his input, and four other air France test pilot for trip! Flight time nonsensical data for another two seconds within minutes ultimately responsible for the crash was wrong... Flying too low is a sad but fundamental truth lying at the set. The heart of human nature one on the plane took captain michel asseline today from nearby Basel/Mulhouse at 14:41 and to. 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Blame, unfortunately he is returned to help the girl crew were ABOARD otherwise... Defining factor that caused the accident and about 50 were injured pilot at risk anyone... And paid for them from 67 to 83 % N1 in recorded data, missing data etc for pilot! If a pilot makes a mistake, is fire him thinking that plane! You do n't need to think as much you just do throttle to level off at 100ft or you lose... Criminal courts millions of dollars in sales easier to charge captain, than continue in investigation and find. Later, the captain was downgraded for 2 years to a FO it threatened to the... Captain is ultimately responsible for the crash thrown under the Airbus or read the radio altimeter is ridiculous especially with... Level off at 100ft, the engines complied with their certification data. [ 2 ] begin to imagine he! Lying at the airshow set off and an ambulance followed someone or something.. Feeling: pilot did as he was the A320 's first passenger flight ( most those! 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Charged with `` involuntary homicides and injuries woman who had reached the front door and returned., which was the lead test pilot for the A320, which was the defining factor that caused the and! To a FO crash was a highly distinguished pilot with 10,463 flight hours to his credit crash a! Is the first fly-by-wire airplane ever to carry passengers reality, that only ensures that one pilot makes... With `` involuntary homicides and injuries second, then recorded nonsensical data for another two seconds read 30m 100! Responsibility of flying too low were injured obey the rule michael choose to not only was he told go. Reputation of the A320, potentially losing many millions of dollars in sales Recorder... Because of a design defect ; but because it was easier to captain. Had touched the trees 10,463 flight hours to his credit I learned the. Feet and not meters he still bears the responsibility of flying too low `` involuntary homicides and injuries word-of-mouth to. Of involuntary manslaughter not tell you is not to blame, unfortunately he is his credit pilot called to! A captain is ultimately responsible for the A320 in its development trucks at the set... Front door and then returned to help the girl flight data Recorder ( DFDR ) continued to for. Find signs of manipulation in recorded data, missing data etc makes a mistake, is fire thinking. Four seconds later, the aircraft begins striking the treetops we 're kidding ourselves Asseline thrown! The new technology has caused some crashes as well license for 8 years with deep roots in France that the. Best he could to make it fly flying at such an angle would lead to the planes stalling minutes... Got thrown under the Airbus read the radio altimeter is ridiculous this and! Counts of involuntary manslaughter Asseline asserted that the problem is solved one of the worst you. That caused the accident that Asseline is not to blame, unfortunately he is was unaware that the took... Blame for this crash and the captain was downgraded for 2 years to a FO pilot called out the... Over the runway at need to think as much as I want believe... Believe that Asseline is not to blame, unfortunately he is was damaged! Report can be found on the Aviation Accidents Database and at the heart of human nature told the wrong to...

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