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 was the world's first operational supersonic airliner, the result of nearly 30 years of French/Anglo cooperation.
- Its only fatal accident occurred on July 25, 2000, when Air France flight 4590 crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris, killing 113 people.
- While commonly attributed to a piece of runway debris puncturing a tire and igniting fuel, retired Concorde pilot John Hutchinson argues it was a "Swiss cheese calamity."
- Hutchinson's analysis suggests a "perfect storm of errors," including landing gear issues, an unqualified crew member, an overloaded aircraft, an unstable center of gravity, and the captain's premature takeoff maneuver.
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