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 supersonic airliner, was a product of pre-digital cross-border cooperation and innovation, operating for nearly 30 years.
- Its only fatal accident was Air France flight 4590 in 2000, commonly attributed to runway debris causing a tire burst and subsequent fuel ignition.
- However, a detailed analysis by retired Concorde pilot John Hutchinson reveals the crash was a "Swiss cheese calamity" resulting from multiple contributing factors.
- These factors included pre-existing landing gear problems, an unqualified crewmember, an overloaded aircraft with an incorrect center of gravity, runway issues, and premature takeoff, all culminating in a "perfect storm" of errors.
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