5m Concept

Chad Mayfield

Activity 2.4

Nov 28, 2012

5M Modeling

An example of a 5M modeling can be applied with a Cessna 177B accident that occurred on April 11, 1996 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This accident involved three people that were trying to set a record for the youngest pilot to fly from coast to coast; the pilot was a seven year old girl. The plane was attempting takeoff in poor weather conditions and crashed onto residential street just three-quarters of a mile from the runway (Walters & Sumwalt, page 337).

* Man was is examined due to the limited experience of a seven year old, not performing a preflight inspection, and rushing through critical procedures from the air traffic controller.

* Machine was examined due to the low engine performance for the climb on takeoff; found the carburetor heat valve was in the off position.

* The Medium was the over weighted aircraft, wind speed, and the bad weather.

* The Mission was examined because of the time frame and the media caused delays for the flight and which fatigued the crew.

* Management was examined for allowing the pilot to fly with the factor of her age and inexperience. Also allowing the complacent and fatigued certified flight instructor to try and guide a young pilot through a severe thunderstorm.

The accident occurred from a chain of factors starting with inexperience of the pilot and CFI, adding fatigue, aircraft being overweight, switching on the heat valve lever on the engine, and combing the extreme weather conditions. Before applying the 5M concept it would seem that the weather caused the accident but after applying it would seem that pilot error would be the peril.

References:

Walters, J., & Sumwalt R. (2000). Aircraft Accident Analysis: Final Reports. Hightstown, NJ: McGraw-Hill.