Wiring Diagram

Air Safety Week, August 7, 2000

The hazard posed by bad wiring increasingly is being recognized throughout the industry. United Airlines [UAL] is mobilizing its experts to attack the problem across a broad front (see ASW, June 26). At left is a wiring diagram showing how the carrier is organizing itself to address the wiring problem.

Names have been deleted as not necessary. This organizational diagram on wiring reflects a concern that has gone beyond the talking to the doing stage. Note the scope of the activities, to include new tooling for wire inspections and the necessary training for wire husbandry, given the ease with which wire can be damaged during maintenance. Note also the attention to wire connectors. The failure of a 25-pin connector costing $15 could lead to loss of an airplane. The "structures" box reflects the carrier's already well- established supplementary structural inspection program (SSIP) for aging aircraft.