. . . it looks like I wasn’t far wrong! Last week I wrote about electrical issues with three different Airbus aircraft after liquids were spilled on control panels in the cockpit, including uncommanded engine shutdowns. I asked whether an “open container law” might be needed for Airbus cockpits. What’s the old saying about “There’s… Continue reading About that “open container law” for Airbus aircraft . . .
Tag: Accidents
Feet on the dashboard = pelvis in pieces
I’ve seen many passengers in cars, light trucks or SUV’s – almost always women in my experience – put their feet up on top of the dashboard, lean back in their seats, and drive along like that. I’ve always regarded it as extremely dangerous, because in the event of an accident, they won’t be able… Continue reading Feet on the dashboard = pelvis in pieces
Headline of the day
From CNN: Indian man dies after getting attacked by his rooster on their way to a cockfight It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that police suspect fowl play . . . Peter
Snow, ice, and off-road excursions
Last weekend Miss D. and I drove to a seminar held at a lakeside resort east of Gainesville, TX. Unfortunately, that coincided with the arrival of a rare snowstorm. Our normally safe roads were suddenly covered with 2-3 inches of snow, with patches of ice forming beneath the snow, invisible until you hit it. This… Continue reading Snow, ice, and off-road excursions
Boeing’s answer to the 737 Max problems: more automation?
In all the hype about the problems surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max airliner, particularly the two deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, I couldn’t help noticing one thing. Airlines and pilots in First World countries appear to have had few similar problems with the aircraft. It’s those in Third World countries that did – and not… Continue reading Boeing’s answer to the 737 Max problems: more automation?
Sound and fury from Iran, but what does it signify?
Iran reportedly launched “ballistic missiles” of some sort against US installations in Iraq yesterday, in apparent retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani over the weekend. However, to my surprise, the missiles apparently hit nothing of importance, and didn’t inflict a single casualty. Contrast that with the precision strike against the Saudi Aramco oil refining… Continue reading Sound and fury from Iran, but what does it signify?
A chemical reaction leads to a very big bang
Back in September, the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland experienced a massive explosion in Ulsan, South Korea. This clip was taken by the dashcam video of a vehicle parked rather too close to the big bang. An initial investigation has revealed it was caused by a chemical reaction. According to the MAIB’s interim report, released today,… Continue reading A chemical reaction leads to a very big bang
Wound treatment: a little knowledge may be a dangerous thing
Aesop brings us a timely reminder that what may look like a simple medical problem might be a whole lot more complicated than we suspect. He’s not talking about a minor cut or scrape, but wounds that may conceal something a lot more serious. The problem with [a wound closure kit], like everything else, including… Continue reading Wound treatment: a little knowledge may be a dangerous thing
Doofus Of The Day #1,057
Here’s a graphic illustration of why you shouldn’t use gasoline in combination with matches to clear an ant or termite nest out of your back yard. Must have been fun explaining that to his wife! A common practice in many parts of Africa was to soak the offending nest with a couple of gallons of… Continue reading Doofus Of The Day #1,057
Fake news – shooting sports edition
“Don’t believe everything on the Internet” is an overworked statement, but remains as true as ever. It was proven again by a 2017 forum post, which is making the rounds in the shooting community at present (example). This guy and his co workers were discussing whether a steel toe boot would withstand a round from… Continue reading Fake news – shooting sports edition