Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Cautionary Conversation: Flying on Empty
Sep 9, 2022
Join mathematician and comedian Matt Parker, known for his engaging YouTube presentations and the book 'Humble Pi,' as he dives into the shocking incident of Air Canada Flight 143. Discover how a unit conversion error led to a near-fatal fuel miscalculation. Parker explores other high-stakes miscalculations in aviation, like the Mars Climate Orbiter disaster, shedding light on the severe consequences of measurement mistakes. The episode highlights the crucial role of clear communication and mathematical precision in preventing calamities.
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The Gimli Glider
- Air Canada Flight 143 took off with only half the necessary fuel due to a kilogram-pound mix-up.
- This wasn't noticed until a stopover in Ottawa, where the miscalculation was repeated.
Unit Conversion Errors
- The Air Canada incident stemmed from a unit conversion error, confusing kilograms and pounds of fuel.
- This was exacerbated by using specific gravity, adding a layer of complexity that masked the unit mismatch.
Canada's Metric Switch
- Canada's recent switch to metric made them vulnerable to unit conversion errors.
- The switch created confusion between old imperial units and the newly adopted metric system.
