Aloha Airlines Case Analysis

1. AIRCRAFT MISHAP TIMELINE

On 28 April 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243, a Boeing 747 based out of Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii, began operations on what was scheduled for six inter-island flights. The First Officer checked in with Aloha Airlines Flight Operations about 5:00am followed by the Captain shortly after. The aircraft log was signed off and released for flight with no open write-ups. They both completed pre-departure duties and proceeded to the aircraft. All pre-flight preparations were performed in the crew compartment and a visual external aircraft inspection was performed. The first officer was pleased with the aircraft after the walk-around and deemed it "Ready for flight".

The aircrew flew three round trip flights from Honolulu to Hilo, Maui, and Kauai. After each of these flights the aircrew reported that all aircraft systems were performing normal and that the flights were uneventful. During each of the stops no visual exterior inspections were performed. Visual exterior inspections were not required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standard Aloha Airlines company policies.

At 11:00am scheduled aircrew changes were performed for the remainder for the flights that day. This aircrew flew two legs from Honolulu to Maui, then from Maui to Hilo. All systems performed as advertised. The aircrew did not perform exterior visual inspection between these flights nor were they required as stated previously.

At approximately 1:25pm Aloha Airlines flight 243 began its journey from Hilo airport to Honolulu International Airport. Three cabin crewmembers and eighty-nine passengers were aboard the aircraft. Flight 234 reached its cruising altitude about twenty minutes into the flight. After...

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...t train A&P mechanics and inspectors to maintain up to date with the industry standard. In addition the FAA the must develop a corrosion control program for carrier companies to follow. A continued inspection process must be developed for all 737 aircraft lap joints.

Aloha Airlines was required to revise their technical division within there company. Basically they fired the people in the company that neglected to perform their quality assurance and inspection duties. Aloha was required to also required ti develop and implement a corrosion control program. Aloha was also required to adjust their maintenance program to identify the fact that their air carrier operations were high time, high cycle (island hops). Aloha was mandated to develop a maintenance inspection and overhaul process that realistic and acceptable in comparison with the aircraft flight cycles.