The Final Call

A difficult book to read at times, it is a must read for an in-depth look into why aircraft accidents continue to occur. If hindsight is truly 20/20, this writing reiterates the need for better safety systems in the air transportation industry. From pilot error to terrorism, Barlay covers it all in a sometimes difficult read (the author seems to make an assumption that the reader is already intimate with many accidents) , but I would higly recommend it to anyone that can get a hold of it.

The book gives a critical view of the system associated with the detection and specially prevention of airline disasters. The authors general theme is that although accidents are not completely preventable, the conflicting interesses of the parties involved in the industry; the manufactures, the airlines, the authorities etc. often allow preventable repeated accidents to happen. The author supports his point of view with numerous examples, clearly documented with a lot of interviews of the players involved. For anyone interested in a behind the scenes look written by an author which allows lay-man to follow the conversation, I would recommend this book.