The Gimli glider, the fuel miscalculation that nearly cost the lives of all in a 767

[bob10]

Incredible story.
EDIT

Sorry about that; this is a better version

Gimli Glider Full Movie Story - Bing video (https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Gimli+Glider+Full+Movie+Story&&view=detail&mid=D067E9DEE4430E4B97AED067E9DEE4430E4B97AE&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DGimli%2BGlider%2BFull% 2BMovie%2BStory%26FORM%3DVDMHRS)

[JDNSW]

Basically a metric conversion story. - calculated fuel requirements in kg, and somehow managed to load that number of pounds of fuel, and everyone involved failed to spot the problem. Compounded by the fact that the fuel gauges were known to be faulty. (but in aviation you calculate fuel available by dipsticks and tanker delivery meters, not gauges!).

[Hugh Jars]

An interesting story. We studied that in human factors courses over the years.

On the Dash 8, fuel was displayed on the gauges (and ordered) in pounds, weighed on the load sheet in kilos, and receipted by the refueller in litres.

We then had to convert it to ensure compliance and accuracy...

On the B737 we order, load and have fuel displayed in kilos. Still have to convert from litres to kilos, but the FMC/ACARS does that (in aircraft so equipped).