29th Annual Student Research Conference
Cultural Factors in the Crash of Korean Air Flight 801
Laura Tarantino
Dr. James A. Padfield, Faculty Mentor
In August of 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 crashed into a mountainside in Guam, killing 228 of the 254 people on board. What makes Flight 801 especially tragic is that it does not stand alone; statistics from the era show a disproportionately high rate of crashes for Korean Air compared to other airlines. The proximate factors appeared to be pilot error and miscommunication between flight crew members. Because the accident happened in U.S. controlled airspace, the National Transportation Safety Board investigated the cause of the accident. Analysis of Korean Air Flight 801 reveals startling conclusions about the consequences of cultural factors on cockpit communication and perception of power and informs us regarding the need to sometimes overcome cultural factors to improve safety.
Keywords: air safety, culture, Korean Air Flight 801
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -2
Location: MG 2050
Time: 2:45