CSC 379:Week 5, Group 1

Airbus 380 Software Flaw

Provide an overview of this ethical controversy and links to information relevant for each set of ethical concerns cited.

Cover information contained in both articles:

• Seattle Times
• Telegraph.co.uk

Included below are two excerpts that give an overview of the content of this topic:

"Mr Mangan claims a defect in the outflow valve control system could lead to an abrupt loss of cabin pressure, leaving passengers unconscious in as little as 20 seconds. "Normal oxygen masks don't work properly above 33,000 feet. Anybody over forty or over-weight is at a high risk of embolisms," he said."

"Airbus dismissed fears about the A380 as baseless. "We have examined this internally and found absolutely no reason to be concerned. The scenario made up by Mr Mangan does not exist," said spokesman David Voskuhl."

"TTTech falsely classified its micro-chip as a simple "off-the-shelf" product already used in car valves in order to except it from elaborate testing rules, he claimed. This would breach both EU and US law on aircraft regulation. "I refused to sign off on the test results, but TTTech went ahead anyway," he claimed."

"TTTech denies the allegations, calling him a disgruntled ex-employee who never fitted into the team, and is now bent on revenge."

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

"Most passenger jets have two cabin-pressure valves, with separate motors operating each. But because aircraft makers want redundancy on safety systems the planes have three motors for each valve, with different chips controlling each motor. [...] Most jetliners also have a manual override so that the pilot can take control in an emergency. [...] The company elected to go with four outflow valves on the A380, with only one motor on each valve, which are slightly larger than a cabin window. Each motor uses a TTTech controller chip, and there is no backup manual-override system."

"Mangan says the European aerospace establishment is whitewashing his claims because of enormous cost savings that will be realized if TTTech's chips are approved for the A380. TTTech's chip originally was designed for use in autos and the company is trying to get it certified as an existing, "commercial off-the-shelf" product that is acceptable for the A380, according to court records. Mangan, however, alleges that the chip is being customized for aviation purposes, and thus must undergo stringent testing before being approved by regulators. If regulators decide that TTTech's chip is a simple commercial device and can be used in the A380, it would then be available for other new aircraft without having to pass costly safety reviews."

Source: Seattle Times

Table of Contents

General

• <a href="http://www.csl.sri.com/users/neumann/air.html"> Computer Security in Aviation: Vulnerabilities, Threats, and Risks</a> Peter G. Neumann SRI Computer Science Laboratory
• <a href="http://sunnyday.mit.edu/papers/smcit.doc"> Fault Protection in a Component-Based Spacecraft Architecture</a> Elwin C. Ong and Nancy G. Leveson MIT <img src="new.gif">

New uses of software

• <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0711/p03s04-usgn.html"> On space station, droids get a workout</a> Peter N. Spotts Christian Science Monitor <img src="new.gif">
• <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/103/C8827/"> Anti-hijack software controls planes from the ground</a> T.O. Whenham Mobile Magazine <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">

Software Malfunctions

• <a href="http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/465-full.html#190603"> Pilots Battle Computer For Control Of 777</a> The AVweb Editorial Staff AVweb <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/23.12.html#subj2.1"> B747-400 Electronic flight displays rendered inoperative</a> Peter B. Ladkin The RISKS Digest <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/24.03.html#subj3.1"> Flight Control System Software Anomalies</a> Peter B. Ladkin The RISKS Digest <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">

Effects of portable electronic devices

• <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060228_cellphone.html"> Carnegie Mellon Researchers Find Cell Phones Pose Greater Risk to Airplane Navigation Than Previously Believed</a> Carnegie Mellon University <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/3069"> Unsafe At Any Airspeed?</a> IEEE <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/hearing/07-20-00/07-20-00memo.html"> Portable Electronic Devices: Do they really pose a safey hazard on aircraft</a> The Subcommittee on Aviation U.S. House of Representatives <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/23.54.html#subj2.1"> Tests show cell phones don't disrupt navigation systems</a> NewsScan The RISKS Digest <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif">

Aviation standards

• <a href="http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/0/94171A756992D0408625708300551865?OpenDocument&Highlight=software"> Airworthiness Directive</a> FAA <img src="Aviation_safety_files/new.gif">
• <a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/9.01.html#subj2.1"> UK Defense software standard</a> Sean Matthews The RISKS Digest
• <a href="http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/16.16.html#subj3"> Summary of safety-critical computers in transport aircraft</a> Peter B. Lankin The RISKS Digest
• <a href="http://satc.gsfc.nasa.gov/assure/nss8719_13.html"> SOFTWARE SAFETY NASA TECHNICAL STANDARD</a> NASA