DOUBLE BILL: A Monkey For Mayor / A Screw Loose At 17,000 Feet
Oct 13, 2023
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Discover the amusing story of a monkey who unexpectedly became a successful mayor, raising questions about leadership and our selection process. Then, delve into the high-stakes world of aviation with a gripping tale of how a tiny mistake involving a bolt led to a near disaster at 17,000 feet. The podcast offers a mix of humor and caution, highlighting both the absurdities and risks inherent in decision-making and engineering. Tune in for intriguing insights into what makes an effective leader and the importance of precision in critical situations!
Selecting the best people for leadership positions requires rethinking traditional methods of assessment and considering unconventional candidates.
Accidents often occur due to a combination of various safety measures that have gaps or weaknesses, highlighting the importance of thorough inspections and organizational processes.
Deep dives
Opportunity for HBCU Steam Scholars
The Black Effect podcast network and Nissan are offering 50 HBCU Steam Scholars an all-expenses-paid trip to Nissan's possibility summit to be mentored by industry leaders in auto, tech, and podcasting. The summit is described as a life-changing and impactful experience that provides unique mentorship opportunities.
The Legend of the Monkey Hanging in Hartlepool
The legend of Hartlepool's mistaken identification of a monkey as a French spy during the Napoleonic Wars highlights the town's self-deprecating humor and ability to laugh at themselves. This legend has become a source of civic identity and pride for the Hartlepudlians. It inspired the choice of a monkey as the mascot for Hartlepool United Football Club and even led to the election of a man dressed as a monkey as the town's mayor.
The Case of Misfit Bolts on Flight BA5390
The near-fatal accident on British Airways Flight BA5390 was caused by the incorrect installation of unfit bolts on the aircraft's windshield. The maintenance crew used slightly shorter and slimmer bolts, which gave way under the pressure differential during the flight and resulted in the windshield being blown off. This incident prompted airlines to double-check the installation of windshield bolts, revealing that numerous planes were flying with incorrect bolts.
The Swiss Cheese Model of Accidents
The series of errors that led to the accident on Flight BA5390 can be understood through the Swiss Cheese Model of Accidents. This model suggests that accidents occur when various safety measures have gaps or weaknesses that align, allowing mistakes to go unnoticed or unaddressed. In the case of BA5390, factors like a poorly organized spare parts store, mislabeling of the bolts, and inadequate inspection procedures contributed to the error in installing incorrect bolts.
This week, we've twice the storytelling fun for you: two Cautionary Tales shorts, previously only available to Pushkin+ subscribers.
A Monkey for Mayor: It was supposed to be a publicity stunt, but when the man who dressed as Hartlepool United’s monkey mascot stood in a mayoral election... he won. Actual politicians predicted disaster - since thousands of workers and millions of dollars were now in the hands of a complete novice.
But H’Angus the Monkey proved to be a more effective leader than anyone had predicted, raising interesting questions about how we select the best people to be our managers and our mayors.
And
A Screw Loose At 17,000 Feet: Can you tell the difference between an A211-7D bolt and an A211-8C? Well, nor could the tired and stressed engineer fitting a cockpit windshield to Flight 5390. The difference is tiny, but the consequences of muddling them up - which played out at 17,000 ft - were dramatic.
Such design flaws are common - and result in far more loose aircraft windows than you would imagine.