Plane Crash ― The Forensics of Aviation Disasters

One of the most amazing feats of modern life is the frequency with which airplanes safely take off and land: about 40,000 times a day in the United States alone. Commercial aviation is by far the safest mode of transportation and is becoming safer all the time. But on the exceedingly rare occasion that a plane does crash, comprehensive accident analysis, thorough investigation, and implementation of remedial actions significantly reduces the probability of an already remote event ever recurring.

Plane Crash, an unprecedented collaboration between mechanical engineering professor George Bibel and airline Captain Robert Hedges, shares the riveting stories of both high-profile and lesser-known airplane accidents. Drawing on accident reports, eyewitness accounts, and simple diagrams to explain what went wrong in the plane and in the cockpit, Hedges provides invaluable insight into aviation human factors, while Bibel analyzes mechanical failures. No prior scientific knowledge is needed to understand the principles and procedures this book describes, only an interest in the view from what Captain Hedges describes as "the best seat in the house."

Organized around the phases of flight—takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and landing—this book is a captivating look at some of the most dramatic plane crashes of the modern age, including Asiana Airlines 214, Air France 447, and Malaysia Airlines 370. If you have ever wondered what goes through a pilot’s mind as a flight takes a turn for the dangerous, what impact turbulence actually has on flight safety, or even just how the wonders of aeronautics work to keep passengers safe day in and out, Plane Crash will both fascinate and educate.

George Bibel is a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of North Dakota. He is the author of Beyond the Black Box: The Forensics of Airplane Crashes and Train Wreck: The Forensics of Rail Disasters. A former US Air Force pilot and instructor, Robert Hedges is a Captain, line check airman, and instructor at a major US airline.