Online Public Relations Thoughts

This is an example in which clear and accurate communication was missing.  It nearly cost the lives of the pilot, copilot, 271 passengers and 10 crew members.  And, it was a simple mistake -- setting the amount of wing flap angle, a routine procedure the two pilots had done hundreds of times.  But, the copilot did what he thought the pilot had said and nearly dove the plane into the sea.  There are tasks in which absolute accuracy is essential.  There is no room for mistakes.  The copilot performed a wrong task accurately. They were in cloud cover so they could not see the orientation of the plane in relation to the water below.  It was only when they broke through the bottom of the clouds that the copilot realized something was wrong.  Perhaps they have adopted the communication tactic for accuracy in which the message recipient repeats back to the sender exactly what was said.  If so, it would not be too soon.