Wheel Falls Off United Boeing 777 | Hacker News Reader

Wheel Falls Off United Boeing 777

theautopian.com

23 pointsthrow721 comments

Dupe: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39635232

We're at a point where I won't fly Boeing.

This is interesting, because I feel like I agree, but I feel fairly irrational for doing so. In aggregate Boeing is doing fine on safety, not because of their actions, but despite them, because airline safety is so highly developed. The 787 hasn't lost a single plane yet for example. Not flying Boeing is unlikely to materially change our personal safety because the risks are so tiny in the first place, so is there any point taking a significant inconvenience (in reduced route/airline choice) in return for an imperceptible safety improvement.

However. Over time the safety difference could grow if left unchecked, and voting with our wallets, taking a principled stance now, could improve things for the future.

It's also interesting that we don't think the same way about cars. Most people are not buying different cars based on safety, and in fact the trend is towards bigger cars that are known to kill more pedestrians.

> Most people are not buying different cars based on safety, and in fact the trend is towards bigger cars that are known to kill more pedestrians.

People are buying huge cars in a selfish "me safe before you" mentality.

Maybe, although I suspect it's driven by other trends, I don't think people are setting out to buy cars that kill pedestrians.

I do however don't think that most people would be using safety ratings (positive or negative) as one of their top purchasing considerations. It's all about size, seats, number of doors, features, mileage, electric vs petrol, etc.

No, they're not trying to buy cars that kill pedestrians, they're trying to buy cars which are bigger than other cars, which they believe won't get them killed in a wreck. So it's an arms race. The danger to pedestrians is just a side effect which isn't considered by the purchasers.

Yes, watched the Last Week Tonight yesternight on Boeing and even the construction of the 787 seemed suspect when taking that into account. I think some of the engineers refused to say they would fly on the 787 too considering its engineering?

I haven't seen the segment, but I have just finished reading "Flying Blind" which focuses on the 737MAX disasters, and goes through the history of other issues.

The 787 did have its issues, and was certainly a bit of an early warning for the issues to come with the MAX, however it seems like it was more cheaping-out on things, than actively hiding ways in which they were going against regulations. The main issue was the battery housings, which after a few early issues, got re- designed and retro-fitted to the fleet. There hasn't been a 787 hull loss yet.

Additionally because it was a new program, lots of legacy stuff never got in the way. The 787's cockpit is fairly modern, seemingly up to the standards Airbus have been setting for years, and without all the legacy gotchas that are present in the 737's cockpit. Being a higher priced plane also means that there seems to be less nickel-and-diming on the options, and therefore fewer opportunities for airlines to turn down optional safety extras.

As a frequent long-haul traveller, I'm fine on a 787 (although I'd prefer an A350). The 777 is uncomfortable but fine.

Watch the Al Jazeera 737 NG whistleblower documentary. It's little known and shocking.

It's a 22 year old plane.

How is this a valid argument?

If it is too old to fly, it shouldn't and if it is fit to fly, parts of it shouldn't fall off.

It is a valid argument to place blame on the airline that operates and maintains the plane, not the manufacturer.

Unless there's particular pattern of wheels flying off in this type of planes - and it does not seem like it is - the manufacturing defect seems like extreme stretch.

This is an isolated incident probably down to maintenance. The 777 is the last of the great Boeing planes, with a fantastic safety record. Whenever you're flying a 777, you'll get to the other side in one piece.

Yes a long string of isolated incidents at Boeing.

New version: If it's Boeing, I ain't going.

We're no-ing to Boeing

Nah, not Boeing this time. Airline.

Tire changes happen every few hundred landings, so are squarely an airline ramp mechanic thing. There's one big nut holding the wheel on with a bunch of covers and safeties.

https://images.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/9...

Thanks, guess investigators have no need to investigate then, they just need to ask you as you know the reason for the dropped wheel already - which is fast!

From the guidelines:

> Be kind. Don't be snarky.

Snark aside, it's a fair point. It's totally possible there is a design defect in that axle or fastener admitting metal fatigue and we will start seeing more 777 events in 20+ year old landing gear.

Is it likely though, compared to routine field maint? It's the user's role (airline) to inspect the landing gear like axles and fasteners for wear and replace them. It's a 22 year old ship with on the order of 10,000 landing cycles. It's probably had its wheels replaced hundreds of times and axles inspected that many times.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResul...

It said on the news that the tire weight 268lbs.

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