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Thread: Should the Boeing 777 be grounded?

  1. #1
    Administrator CatInASuit's avatar
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    Default Should the Boeing 777 be grounded?

    It currently has a record with no fatalities which for a workhorse of its capabilities is impressive. However there have been two recent incidents with ice in the fuel delivery system causing engine failure. A near crash at Heathrow averted by quick pilot thinking only resulted in one serious injury.

    A serious flaw was found in the design with Boeing and Rolls Royce currently testing a redesigned component that will be available from August of next year.

    Despite warnings from the US and UK Safety boards that there is a high probability of this occuring again, airlines are still running with them. This still leaves over several hundred Boeing 777s in service each with a risk of failure.

    Is this a case of greed overriding safety and would you still be happy to fly in a Boeing 777 knowing the risk?
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  2. #2
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: Should the Boeing 777 be grounded?

    My guess is that the icing problem is more likely to occur in a relatively narrow range of conditions. Airlines, knowing those conditions, will take whatever steps possible to minimize the risk. They have a strong incentive to do so, because of the liability they'll face if the problem causes fatalities. Also, spring and summer weather between now and the time the fix is available will probably reduce the risk. Essentially you have to balance that risk against the alternative...and grounding the entire fleet of 777s may cause serious logisitcal problems...routes may have to be eliminated or reduced, fewer seats available driving prices up, etc.
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