06 - Tail Strike to Tragedy: The CI611 Investigation

Today on "Revise Before Flight," we revisited the tragic in-flight breakup of China Airlines Flight CI611, or Dynasty 611, which claimed 225 lives. This routine flight on May 25th, 2002, vanished mid-climb due to a structural failure. The investigation pinpointed an inadequately repaired 1980 tail strike as the root cause, leading to undetected fatigue damage that compromised the aircraft's integrity. CI611 underscores that meticulous maintenance and adherence to Structural Repair Manuals are non-negotiable. For pilots and ATCs, it's a vital lesson in precision and why advanced aviation English is crucial for safety.