The creation and nearly 30-year operational life of the French/Anglo Concorde, the world’s first operational supersonic airliner, is a rich history of cross-border cooperation and innovation at a time long before the personal computer revolution or the first cell phone. In fact, the origins of the first supersonic transport (SST) date back to before the election of President John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Why Air France Really Stopped Flying the Concorde
Key Takeaways:
- The Concorde, the world's first operational supersonic airliner, had a nearly 30-year service life before its only fatal accident, Air France flight 4590, on July 25, 2000.
- The accident is commonly attributed to runway debris puncturing a tire, leading to a fuel tank breach and fire during takeoff.
- However, retired Concorde pilot John Hutchinson offers a detailed analysis suggesting the crash was a "Swiss cheese calamity" caused by multiple compounding errors.
- Hutchinson's findings include issues like pre-existing landing gear problems, an unqualified crewmember, an overloaded aircraft with an incorrect center of gravity, and the captain's premature liftoff.
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