162 pp. Signed by the author. Inscribed by author on title page. An examination of how miscommunication has led to a number of air disasters, with innovative solutions on how to prevent them. ; 8vo - over 7�" - 9�" tall; Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # AER0037

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and ...

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

Publication Date: 1994

Binding: Cloth

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First Edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

On March 27, 1977, 583 people died when KLM and Pan Am 747s collided on a crowded, foggy runway in Tenerife, the Canary Islands. The cause was a miscommunication between the pilot and the air traffic controller. The pilot radioed, "We are now at takeoff," meaning that the plane was lifting off, but the tower controller misunderstood and thought the plane was waiting on the runway. In" Fatal Words", Steven Cushing explains how miscommunication has led to dozens of aircraft disasters, and he proposes innovative solutions for preventing them. He examines ambiguities in language when aviation jargon and colloquial English are mixed, when a word is used that has different meanings, and when different words are used that sound alike. To remedy these problems, Cushing proposes a visual communication system and a computerized voice mechanism to help clear up confusing language. This is an accessible explanation of some of the most notorious aircraft tragedies of our time, and it should appeal to scholars in communications, linguistics and cognitive science, to aviation experts and to general readers.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Purveyors of hard to find, unusual, out of print, and rare books. If you don't see the book you want listed, please ask us. We just may have it in the stack beside our desk.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

Riverwash Books Inc.
642 Royal Place, Prescott, ON, K0E 1T0, Canada

Terms of Sale:

All prices are in US dollars. We accept payment by personal check, money order (International money order if outside Canada), Paypal, or credit cards that are accepted through ABE books. Canadian residents are subject to 5% GST.

Returns are accepted within 10 business days of receipt of the item, with prior notification. A full refund of the book price will be given. Although the condition of an item is provided and major defects noted, if found to be not as described, and the error is ours, we ...

More Information

Shipping Terms:

United States orders ship from Ogdensburg, New York, Canadian orders from Prescott, Ontario. Orders to other countries generally ship from the United States.

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. If the book is light, we will reduce charges where possible.

Payment Methods
accepted by seller

Check Money Order PayPal

Add to Wants

Items related to Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and Aircraft Crashes

Fatal Words: Communication Clashes and Aircraft Crashes

Cushing, Steven

Used - Hardcover

Seller's business information