Re: WIRE ... Part 3

From: Herb Schaltegger (herb.schaltegger_at_gmail.com.invalid)
Date: 07/30/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 13:07:24 -0500

In article <311lg09qhj8l8ku4326965ccpoq0aea60e@4ax.com>,
 Mary Shafer <miliff@qnet.com> wrote:

> I'll also admit that we use the breakers to cycle power. Most
> aircraft equipment doesn't have off-on switches. When something isn't
> working right, or just plain isn't working, the first thing we do,
> frequently, is cycle the breaker. That powers the unit down and then
> powers it back up. It works a surprising percentage of the time.

If you haven't already, you ought to read the Canadian accident
investigation report of the Swissair MD11 fire/crash that occurred
several years ago. It notes that this practice, common though it is in
industry, is fraught with more risks than most engineers, flight crew,
and maintenance personnel realize.

I don't have a link handy but the report is available online, replete
with high-resolution graphics, charts, etc. All in all, a great
resource to anyone interested in aerospace accident investigation, that
particular crash, and how to present technical documents well on the web. 

-- 
Herb Schaltegger, B.S., J.D.
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity."
   ~ Robert A. Heinlein
<http://www.angryherb.net>