At 02:08 AM 12/25/2009, Scott Howard wrote:
On Thu, Dec 24, 2009 at 6:27 PM, George Bonser <gbonser@seven.com> wrote:
So you can put a lot of process around changes in advance but there isn't quite as much to manage incidents that strike out of the clear blue. Too much process at that point could impede progress in clearing the issue. Capt. Sullenberger did not need to fill out an incident report, bring up a conference bridge, and give a detailed description of what was happening with his plane, the status of all subsystems, and his proposed plan of action (subject to consensus of those on the conference bridge) and get approval for deviation from his initial flight plan before he took the required actions to land the plane as best as he could under the circumstances.
"*mayday mayday mayday. **Cactus fifteen thirty nine hit birds, we've lost thrust (in/on) both engines we're turning back towards LaGuardia*" - Capt. Sullenberger
Not exactly "detailed", but he definitely initiated an "incident report" (the mayday), gave a "description of what was happening with his plane", the "status of [the relevant] subsystems", and his proposed plan of action - even in the order you've asked for!
His actions were then "subject to the consensus of those on the conference bridge" (ie, ATC) who could have denied his actions if they believed they would have made the situation worse (ie, if what they were proposing would have had them on a collision course with another plane). In this case, the conference bridge gave approval for his course of action ("*ok uh, you need to return to LaGuardia? turn left heading of uh two two zero.*" - ATC)
Once he declared an emergency, he had the right of way over all other traffic. ATC would move anyone in his way out of the way. Under <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/U.S.>U.S. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//wiki/FAA>FAA FAR 91.3, "Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command", the FAA declares:[2] * (a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. * (b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency. * (c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator. Just because we have checklists doesn't mean we can't think on our feet and handle situations not contemplated in checklists, but checklists and procedures exist to ensure we don't forget something we need to remember. They aren't a substitute for creativity and logical thought. They are an aid to it to ensure a minimum of creative thinking is needed to solve problems which shouldn't exist in the first place. -Robert SEL&MEL+I "Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin