Searching for the Cause of a Catastrophic Plane Crash
On a calm, clear day in 1994, USAir Flight 427, a Boeing 737 plane, suddenly nosedived and smashed into the earth, killing everyone on board, Jonathan Harr writes. A team of investigators quickly assembled to sift through the rubble.
On the last day of its existence: "Mechanics had previously noticed several small defects—a dent in the left aft inboard flap assembly, worn duct sliders on both the right and the left engine's thrust reversers, and a worn mount bushing on one thrust reverser—but the wear on these parts was considered within normal limits, and repair of them had been deferred."