Human error may be to blame for crash
An airport map on GPS might have averted the crash of Comair 5191 (“Decade after crash, some pilots still fly in dark,” News, Aug. 29); but a more fundamental, low-tech solution was at hand.
Before takeoff on an instrument flight plan, it is an essential and longstanding procedure to ensure that your magnetic compass and heading indicator agree before advancing the throttles. A quick check of the compass at Bluegrass Airport would have shown that it read 260 degrees (for runway 26) instead of 220 degrees (for the intended runway 22). If the pilot overlooked this, the co-pilot should not have.
There was construction underway at the airport, which contributed to the crew’s turning onto the wrong runway.
Given that mistake, however, there was one final chance to avoid a grievous outcome. The crew was inattentive, possibly in a hurry, and failed to follow standard instrument takeoff procedure.
JOHN OTTLEY JR., ALPHARETTA
Who’re champions of middle class re: Obamacare
As we approach Nov. 1, the fourth open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act, there has been no lack of news reports detailing insurance carriers’ departure from the marketplace and double-digit rate increases. We’re given to believe we shouldn’t worry because, though premiums are rising, so will subsidies for qualified recipients, along with co-insurance assistance. What about the individuals who do not qualify for government assistance?
Who is championing those in the middle class whose health coverage is not subsidized and who find it difficult to see the concept of affordability in the Affordable Care Act?
BOB SMITH, TUCKER
