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From: peterb@pbear.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: More on the Air India Crash
Message-ID: <800009@pbear.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 21-Jul-85 17:40:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: pbear.800009
Posted: Sun Jul 21 17:40:00 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 00:25:43 EDT
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Nf-From: pbear!peterb    Jul 21 17:40:00 1985


>It was not garbled.  I don't know about the specific configuration of the
>Air India 747 in question, but the Boeing 747 has the capability for a
>fifth engine to be mounted externally, just as the other four are.  The
>purpose is to permit engines, whether servicable or not, to be transported.
>This is especially important to international air carriers (including U.S.
>flag carriers).  While the fifth engine has some minimal effect on drag and
>fuel consumption, it is a very routine operation and is perfectly safe.
>Certainly if the 747 can carry the Space Shuttle on its back, it should
>have no problem with a fifth engine.  Any speculation that a possible fifth
>engine caused a structural failure is just that -- speculation.  Hope this
>helps.
>
>TJ (with Amazing Grace) The Piper

I don't want to sound picky, but the statement "...If the 747 can carry the
Space Shuttle on its back, it should have no problem with a fifth engine."
is logically incorrect. The premise and conclusion are mutually exclusive.
By showing that the 747 can carry the Space Shuttle (with extensive
modifications) DOES NOT imply that a fifth engine should cause no problem to
the airframe.

There are too few details about the crash to shed light on the cause. All of
this is just what you said: speculation. Now if they could only find the
black box that monitored the flight instuments and actuators and engines,
then we could do some SERIOUS speculation.

Til then...

Peter Barada
{ihnp4!inmet|{harvard|cca}!ima}!pbear!peterb