Reports indicate that the pilots of the UPS 747-400 freighter that crashed near Dubai International on Friday reported smoke in the cockpit, prior to the accident. As evidenced by Swissair 111 in Peggy's Cove years ago, smoke and/or fire in the flight deck is one of the most difficult conditions for a pilot to manage successfully. For his own safety he will be wearing a cumbersome oxygen mask and visor, which are unfamiliar and severely restrict the ability to communicate and operate controls. Add to this the impaired visibility from the smoke and it may even be impossible to read the fire/smoke checklist, let alone the instruments. Finding oneself isolated in an opaque world of smoke and possibly fire will be disorientating and unquestionably frightening. If the fire is in the vicinity of controls or systems it may well be that their functionality is impaired or lost.
Some time ago a company marketed a transparent inflatable 'cushion', designed to provide a clear corridor between the pilot's visor and the instrument panel and windscreen. I am not sure how it sold (my company at the time didn't buy) but it would be interesting to know who did and what the in service performance was like. Also, does anyone know of any subsequent developments in technology to meet this serious safety challenge?
This latest tragedy reminds us that while we do have a good record of safety in our industry, we cannot afford to be complacent and we must address known risks rather than hope they won't manifest themselves. My sympathy goes to those who have lost people they know and love in this accident.
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