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Flap Error May Have Caused Spanair Crash

Electrical failure kept pilots from getting warning, investigators believe

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 3, 2008 4:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Pilots of the Spanair jet that crashed last month didn't extend the aircraft's flaps before takeoff—and an electrical malfunction likely kept them from getting a warning about it, the Wall Street Journal reports. The flaps, on the backs of wings, are needed for an extra lift when an aircraft takes off. Investigators are looking at why a pre-takeoff checklist didn't catch the error.



A plane takes off near the site where a Spanair jet crashed last month.
A plane takes off near the site where a Spanair jet crashed last month.   (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Police patrol the area near the crash site of the Spanair jet at the airport in Madrid.
Police patrol the area near the crash site of the Spanair jet at the airport in Madrid.   (AP Photo/I. Lopez)
Pilots failed to extend the wing flaps before takeoff, investigators have found.
Pilots failed to extend the wing flaps before takeoff, investigators have found.   (AP Photo/EFE)
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