NTSB report: Plane systems, low air speed are to blame in Asiana Airlines crash

Last summer's Asiana Airlines crash was partly caused by inadequate warning systems and slow air speed, said the National Transportation Safety Board in a new report.

The Boeing 777, which crashed at San Francisco International Airport, was doomed by warning systems that failed to alert the pilots that the plane had stopped maintaining the set air speed needed to safely land. A notification telling them that the jet was flying too slowly and too low appeared too late to help pilots avoid the disaster that killed three passengers.

Even though the 777 jetliner has one of the safest records in history, Asiana Airlines said Boeing should add more cockpit warnings to alert pilots when they're flying too slowly. In a previous report, the NTSB blamed the crew for being confused about how to fly the plane.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up