On
a dark December night 36 years ago, a Lockheed 1011 jumbo jet crashed
into the Florida Everglades, killing over 100 people. This terrible
accident was one of the deadliest crashes in the history of the United
States.
A
curious thing about this accident is that all vital parts and systems
of the airplane were functioning perfectly—the plane could have easily
landed safely at its destination in Miami, only 20 miles (32km) away.
During
the final approach, however, the crew noticed that one green light had
failed to illuminate—a light that indicates whether or not the nose landing gear
has extended successfully. The pilots discontinued the approach, set
the aircraft into a circling holding pattern over the pitch-black
Everglades, and turned their attention toward investigating the problem.
They
became so preoccupied with their search that they failed to realize the
plane was gradually descending closer and closer toward the dark swamp
below. By the time someone noticed what was happening, it was too late
to avoid the disaster.
After the accident, investigators tried to determine the cause. The landing gear
had indeed lowered properly. The plane was in perfect mechanical
condition. Everything was working properly—all except one thing: a
single burned-out lightbulb. That tiny bulb—worth about 20 cents—started
the chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic death of over 100
people.
Of
course, the malfunctioning lightbulb didn’t cause the accident; it
happened because the crew placed its focus on something that seemed to
matter at the moment while losing sight of what mattered most.
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