Concorde loses rudder...

...and pilots are unaware

[jimbeetle]

CNN reported that, in what appears to be a recurring problem, a Concorde enroute from Paris to New York lost a couple of hunks of its rudder. Some disturbing tidbits in the story:

--Its the sixth time this has happened since '89;

--The pilots didn't realize they lost the rudder; and,

--A British Airways spokesman stated that the rudder parts were not critical.

That instills all sorts of confidence. Anybody for a nice cruise across the pond (assuming no bergs in the way)?

[rcjordan]

You know, when I pay a couple of $k for a seat on a plane, I kinda like them to keep all of their pieces hung together.

[victor]

It's an attitude worrying like NASA's over the space shuttle.

Everytime a bit fell off that -- or they found a bit half-worn through after landing -- they said "hey look how safe we are -- all these bits fail and we still keep flying. It proves how safe we are".

[gsx]

I believe the rudder is not critical to the flying of an aircraft from what I understand. It turns it left and right, which can be done using other controls (though you do need to tilt the aircraft more).

The most worrying thing about this is what about the autopilot? Does it not use the rudder - and if it is unaware, then you could quickly be off-course!

(Don't forget this plane was designed in the 1960's - it flew before I was born)

[Quinn]

I believe the rudder is not critical to the flying of an aircraft from what I understand.

Better hope its not windy on the landing!

[jimbeetle]

It turns it left and right, which can be done using other controls

Agreed. If the pilots were aware that they lost most of the danged thing in the first place!