Ethics are “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad with moral duty and

obligation” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) While Ethics is defined differently by everybody, the

basics is that it’s doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching.
When building a model car, something as small as using the wrong type of glue may not
seem like a huge issue. Take that same mentality with something as large as an aircraft
and it could lead to a major accident or incident. Ethics becomes not only a good feeling
but the choice between life or death.
On American Airlines Flight 191, “271 passengers and flight crew and two persons on
the ground were killed,”(FAA, n.d.) During this accident, the left engine and strut
assembly completely separated itself on takeoff. This was not like a normal engine
failure since it severed critical aircraft systems and instruments. The aircraft completely
turned it self over on the departure leg, a non-recoverable accident.
The cause of this accident came to be an improper unapproved method of engine
installation by the maintenance facility. “American Airlines developed a forklift procedure
for removing the engine without concurrence from McDonnell Douglas,” (FAA, n.d.) This
procedure was done in lieu of the proper engine removal procedure which took more
time, time equaling money in the eyes of the airline. “Strut failure was determined to
have been caused by unintended structural damage which occurred during
engine/pylon reinstallation using a forklift,” (FAA, n.d.) The procedure being completed
by the mechanics was not meeting the tolerances required for the maintenance being
performed. Even though both parties were aware of this, management still instructed
the mechanics to perform these actions.
Ethics being forgotten in this case for operational pressures. Bad ethics with the model
car, saved time but later may cause some disappoint when it falls apart. Bad ethics with
American airlines 191 saved time, brought demise to an entire flight. Both incidences
had the same reasoning for bypassing ethics, but different outcomes. Ethical behavior
in the aviation industry is essential for every aspect. That same person who built the
model car, could someday be the mechanic of the aircraft you’re flying on.
 
 
References:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Ethic. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved August
10, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic
FAA. (n.d.). Airplane Life Cycle. Retrieved August 10, 2020, from
https://lessonslearned.faa.gov/ll_main.cfm?TabID=2