Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford When the Autopilot Switched Off
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May 6, 2022 An airline captain lets his kids 'fly' a packed plane, unaware that the autopilot is actually in control—until it malfunctions. The discussion unpacks the dangerous illusion of safety, linking it to NASCAR tragedies and the risks we take when we feel secure. The crash of Flight 593 underscores the perils of over-relying on automation. Highlights include the psychological interplay of risk and safety, shaping our behaviors in aviation and beyond. It's a riveting look at how trust can lead to disaster.
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Kids in Cockpit
- On Aeroflot Flight 593, a captain let his children "fly" the plane while on autopilot.
- His daughter, Jana, took the controls first.
Illusion of Control
- Jana's brother, Eldar, then took the controls, with the autopilot still engaged.
- The captain intended to give the illusion of control.
Earnhardt's Resistance
- Racing driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. refused to wear a HANS device, a head and neck support.
- Many drivers shared his view, even after three fatal accidents in the previous season caused by the injury HANS was designed to prevent.