FC: More on software glitch causing Osprey aircraft to crash

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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In response to: http://www.politechbot.com/p-02004.html
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From: Bockhorst Roland Civ AMC/SAS <Roland.Bockhorst () scott af mil>
To: "'declan () well com'" <declan () well com>
Subject: RE: Software problems apparently caused Osprey aircraft crash
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 20:08:27 -0500

Declan;

With a little background in flight controls software I offer my humble
opinion.

The software should have:
Detected airborne state upon receipt of reset signal and, at best, performed
an abbreviated self test and not commanded the nacelle excursion.
The pilot incorrectly believed in the reset button.
Receipt of a reset command on the ground could result in self test that
could take seconds to perform.

Required control system gain changes necessitated by a mechanical gain
change due to hydraulic malfunctions were not in the software correctly.


The software worked as designed and that was inadequate to the flight
conditions under this particular failure mode.


'course this speculation of the highest order comes from a few years of
paying attention.


Now that they know where there is weakness in the flight envelope, they know
where to do more software testing.




Keep up the good work. Your efforts are mightily appreciated.

(Standard disclaimers)

Roland





Roland Bockhorst
AMC CSS SASP
Rapid Application Development
Scott AFB, IL
(618) 256-2300





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