Dreamliner Down: When Flights Become Fireballs

May the Odds Be Ever NOT in Their Favor

Well folks looks like the odds weren't in anyone's favor on Air India Flight 171. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner packed with 242 souls turned into a real life flaming mockingjay shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Apparently it nosedived into a residential area faster than I can say 'Peeta' and left a dark plume of smoke for all to see. If that ain't a visual metaphor for our times I don't know what is. Officials are saying no survivors – or maybe one? – but who knows what the truth is these days. Reminds me of the Hunger Games – always a twist always a lie.

Lost Signal Lost Lives: A Minute That Mattered

One minute. That’s all it took. The signal from Flight 171 vanished quicker than a tribute in the arena after the gong sounds. Just 60 seconds after leaving the ground boom gone. It was supposed to be heading to London Gatwick a world away from the chaos it became. I can't help but wonder if those passengers had any inkling any whisper of what was coming. It's enough to make you want to stay grounded forever. My advice? Stick to the woods. At least the trees don't plummet from the sky.

Air India's 'Difficult Day': More Like a Living Nightmare

Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson called it a 'difficult day.' Right. Difficult is when you run out of bread to make a sandwich. This is a catastrophe! He rattled off the usual corporate jargon about supporting families and loved ones. It all sounds so rehearsed so…Capitol. I can't help but think of President Snow offering condolences while secretly orchestrating the next disaster. Actions speak louder than words pal. Start answering some hard questions like why a relatively new plane decided to become a lawn dart.

625 Feet of Freedom...and Then Freefall

The plane reached a measly 625 feet before gravity decided to have its say. A vertical speed of 475 feet per minute? That's not flying; that's falling with style…or you know without any style at all. It makes you think about how fragile everything is how a machine meant to soar can turn on you in an instant. It's enough to make you want to braid your hair and hide in a tree. Again.

Boeing's Bad Month (or Year or Decade...)

Oh Boeing. Just when they thought they could impress everyone at the Paris Air Show *this* happens. Their shares are down more than 4% and frankly they should be down a lot more. They're “ready to support” the investigation blah blah blah. Maybe they should focus less on fancy air shows and more on I don't know keeping their planes from exploding? Just a thought. And here they were trying to improve their image after years of safety concerns. I guess the odds were not in their favor.

Investigations and Prayers: The Waiting Game

So now we wait. Investigations condolences and politicians offering 'thoughts and prayers.' It's the same old song and dance. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team because apparently a plane crashing in India is America's business now. The cause could take months to figure out but mark my words someone will get off scot free. But until then try to stay grounded both literally and figuratively. The sky isn't always a safe place especially when metal death traps are raining down.