nd avoidance of the costs involved with change. Low Altitude Alert and the prescribed phraseology are directly attributable to this accident. Low Altitude Alert is a capability of the radar and computer system monitoring aircraft altitudes in relation to a safe or minimum vectoring altitude (MVA). Once an aircraft goes below the MVA an alarm sounds, the particular aircraft’s identity data block is tagged with the letters “LA” all of which flashes on the radar displays in the controlling facility.The flight crew failed in many ways in allowing this flight to end in tragedy. This aircraft, the Lockheed L-1011 unitizes three flight-crewmembers pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer. All three flight-crewmembers became completely engrossed with what ultimately was determined to be a malfunctioning gear position indicating system. The pilot in command should have taken charge and appointed someone to monitor and fly the aircraft. All flight crewmembers were negligent in not monitoring the status of the aircraft. Additionally, from reading the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts that the flight crew was also lacking in what is considered general operator knowledge. Specifically there was confusion between the flight crew on how to change and test the gear indicator light, and how to view the mechanical nose gear indicator in the nose compartment. The flight crew also displayed a lack of awareness of the actual aircraft’s position and had become complacent in their duties by relying on the autopilot to fly the aircraft. This lack of awareness is displayed in the transcript when the CAM-2 microphone recorded “We did something to the altitude” CAM-1 recorded “What?” CAM-2 recorded “We're still at two thousand right?” CAM-1 recorded “Hey, what's happening here?”In summary, The American Heritage Dictionary defines “accident” as:1.a. An unexpected, unde...
