re: Co-pilot walk around outside the plane

They are checking for the arch-enemy of all pilots....

Gremlins.

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also known as the FIFO check---it flew in, it'll fly out

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You really think pilots do walk around a to look for "damage"

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Well... that's part of the reason I do a walk around when I'm flying a small plane. It doesn't take much to frick a flight on a Cessna up. 777 and some of these other guys will have better answers for the bigger planes.

Checking for the banana in the tailpipe trick.

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if it was raining too hard, 2 wings, 3 motors, 6 tires, it's good, also known as the FIFO check---it flew in, it'll fly out

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from the comments

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he pilot did a preflight and the controls were not locked........ yet. They found that if the gust controls were not completely opened they could close when the controls were moved and that is what happened. Pilot remains were found around the gust control lock so he knew what had happened but didnt have time to fix it.

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From what I have read, it looks like the engine conversion from radials to turboprops rendered the mechanical safety interlock with the throttles, inoperable. This allowed an unauthorised deployment of the gust lock.

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I think I would to prefer to not know what the hell is going on

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A gust lock on an aircraft is a mechanism that locks control surfaces

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In this case, I can't comprehend how someone would fail to realize they have this lock engaged. Wouldn't the controls inside be locked as well?

Checklist Boeing 727-200

PREPARATION PROCEDURES
____________________________________
Exterior Safety Inspection [CPT, F/O or F/E]

- Wheel Cocks: IN PLACE
- Landing Gear Doors: CHECK
- APU Ground Control Panel: NORMAL
- APU Fire Extinguisher Pressure: CHECK
- Flight Control Surfaces: CLEAR

____________________________________
Cockpit Safety Inspection [CPT, F/O or F/E]

- Flight Control Hydraulic Power Switches: ON
- Alternate Flap Switches: OFF
- Landing Gear Lever: DOWN and IN
- Radar: OFF
- Transponder: OFF
- Hydraulic System B Pump Switches: OFF
- Airconditioning Pack Switches: OFF
- Fuel Dump Panel Cover: CLOSED

____________________________________
Preliminary Cockpit Preparation [CPT, F/O or F/E]

- Maintenance Status and Dispatch Deviations: CHECK
- Circuit Breakers: CHECK
- External/APU Electrical Power: OFF
- Battery Switch: ON
- Battery CHECK
- Standby Electrical System: CHECK
- APU Fire Warning System: CHECK
- APU (if required): START
- Electrical Power (APU or EXT PWR): ON
- Pressurization System
- Airconditioning (if required): ON
- Detector Inop Test Switch: SYSTEM A, SYSTEM B
- Surge Tank Protection System: CHECK
- Surge Tank Protection System Test Switches: OFF
- Autopilot Ground Test Switches: GROUND TEST
- Spare Bulbs: CHECK
- Rain Repellent Qauntity: CHECK
- Emergency Equipment: CHECK
- Radio Master Switches: ON
- INS System (if installed): ALIGN
- Emergency Exit Lights: CHECk
- Passenger Signs: ON
- Window Heat: CHECK
- Wing and Engine Anti-Ice Systems: CHECK
- Pitot Static Heat System: CHECK
- Navigation, Wing Illumination and Wheelwell Lights: ON
- Engine Fire Extinguished System: SET
- Engine Fire Warning System: CHECK
- Forward Engine Instruments: CHECK
- Landing Gear Annunciator Lights: CHECK
- Speedbrake Lever: DETENT
- Flap Lever and Indicators: IN AGREEMENT
- Hydraulic Brake Pressure Precharge: CHECK
- Parking Brake: SET
- Crew Oxygen Shutoff Valve: OPEN
- Crew and Passenger Oxygen Switch: NORMAL
- Passenger Oxygen Switch: NORMAL
- Auto Pack Trip Switch: CUT OFF
- Zone Temperature Control Indicator: CENTER
- Pressurization Barometric Setting: SET
- Strut and Lower Aft Body Overheat: CHECK
- Essential Power Failure Warning Lights: CHECK
- Gallery Power (if required): ON
- DC Meters: CHECK, ON ESS TR
- AC Electrical System: CHECKED, SET FOR START
- Fuel Quantity Indicators: CHECK
- Fuel System: CHECK
- Audio Selector Panel: SET FOR START
- Fuel Heat System: CHECK
- Fuel Temperature Indicator: CHECK
- Hydraulic Brake Interconnect: CHECK
- Pneumatic Brake Pressure: NORMAL
- Hydraulics Systems: CHECK and SET FOR EXTERIOR INSPECTION
- "NO EQUIP COOLING" Light: EXTINGUISHED
- "NO RACK/PANEL" Cooling Light (if installed): EXTINGUISHED
- Hydraulic Brake/Interconnect (if installed): CHECK
- Service Interphone: ON
- Oxygen Masks and Regulator: CHECK
- Oxygen: ON, 100%
- Door Warning Annunciators: CHECK
- Engine Vibration Monitoring System: CHECK
- Engine Instruments: CHECK
- Clock: WIND and SET
- Fuel Flow Reset Switch: PRESS
- Panel Lights: SET
- Pressurization System: SET
- Pneumatics: CHECK and SET
- Airconditioning: CHECK and SET
- Fuel Dump Panel Lights: CHECK
- Flight Recorder Encoder: SET
- Leading Edge Devices Position Annunciators: CHECK
- Electrical Fault Annunciators: CHECK
- Passenger Oxygen System Actuation Handle: OFF
- Cabin Air Distribution Lever: SET

____________________________________
Exterior Inspection [CPT, F/O or F/E]

- Aft Airstairs: CHECK
- Right Stairwell Area: CHECK
- Left Stairwell Area: CHECK
- Engine #2 Left Side: CHECK
- Vertical Stabilizer Left Side: CHECK
- Engine #1 Strut and Nacelle: CHECK
- Aft Fuselage Left Side: CHECK
- Main Gear Area Left Side: CHECK
- Left Wing: CHECK
- Forward Fuselage Left Side: CHECK
- Electrical/Electronic Compartment Door: CLOSED and LATCHED
- Nose Gear Area: CHECK
- Nose Section: CHECK
- Forward Fuselage Right Side: CHECK
- Right Wing: CHECK
- Main Gear Area Right Side: CHECK
- Aft Fuselage Right Side: CHECK
- Engine #3 Strut and Nacelle: CHECK
- Vertical Stablizer Right Side: CHECK
- Horizontal Stabilizer: CHECK
- Engine #2 Right Side: CHECK
- Control Surfaces: CHECK
- Passenger Cabin Emergency Equipment: CHECK

____________________________________
COCKPIT PREPARATION
____________________________________
Cockpit Preparation [F/E]

- Airplane Loading: CHECK
- Fuel System: SET FOR START
- Hydraulic Pressure and Quantities: NORMAL
- Pressurization Barometric Indicator: CHECK
- Takeoff Data Card: PREPARE

____________________________________
Cockpit Preparation [F/O]

- Seat and Rudder Pedals: ADJUST
- Static Source Selector: NORMAL
- Briefcase Light: CHECK
- Sun Visors and Smoke Goggles: STOWED
- Oxygen Mask and Regulator: CHECK
- Oxygen: ON, 100%
- First Officer's Windows: CHECK
- Ignition and Engine Start Switches (if installed on F/O panel): OFF
- Engine #2 Duct Access Door Light (of installed on F/O panel): EXTINGUISHED
- Passenger Signs: ON
- SELCAL: SET
- Voice Recorder: CHECK
- HF Mode Selector: SET
- Transponder (if installed on F/O panel): STANDBY
- Window Heat: ON
- Panel Lights: CHECK
- Engine Fail Lights: EXTINGUISHED
- Instrument Panels: SECURED
- APD Lights: CHECK
- Lights: CHECK
- Flight Instruments: CHECK
- Marker Beacon Lights: CHECK
- Pneumatic Brake Pressure: NORMAL
- MACH Airspeed Warning: CHECK
- Windshield and Foot Air Controls: SET
- Yaw Dampers: CHECK
- Transponder: STANDBY
- No. 2 ADF: CHECK and SET FOR DEPARTURE
- Flight Director: SET FOR DEPARTURE
- Main Electric Trim: CHECK
- V2 Speed: SET

____________________________________
Cockpit Preparation [CPT]

- Seat and Rudder Pedals: ADJUST
- Static Source Selector: NORMAL
- Briefcase Light: CHECK
- Sun Visors and Smoke Goggles: STOWED
- Oxygen Masks and Regulators: CHECK
- Oxygen: ON, 100%
- Captain's Windows: CHECK
- Yaw Damper Switches: ON
- Anti-Skid System: CHECK, ON
- Stall Warning: CHECK
- Flight Recorder: CHECK
- INS (if installed): CHECK and SET
- Speed Command: CHECK
- Instrument Comparator: CHECK
- HF Mode Selector: SET
- Ignition and Engine Start Switches: OFF
- Engine #2 Duct Access Door Light: EXTINGUISHED
- Emergency Exit Lights Switch: ARMED
- Panel Lights: CHECK
- Exterior Lights: SET
- Standby Compass: EXTEND
- Engine Fail Light: EXTINGUISHED
- Instrument Panels: SECURED
- Pneumatic Brake Lever:
- APD Lights: CHECK
- Flight Instruments: CHECK
- Standby Compass: STOW
- MACH Airspeed Warning: CHECK
- Windshield and Foot Air Controls: SET
- Instrument Transfer Switches: NORMAL
- Autopilot Elevator Servo: A
- Standby Horizon: CHECK
- Engine Instruments: NORMAL
- Indicator and Approach Progress Display Lights: CHECK
- Flap Position Indicators: CHECK
- Engine Low Oil Pressure Lights: CHECK
- Altitude Alert: SET
- ADF Navigation: CHECK and SET FOR DEPARTURE
- VHF Navigation: SET FOR DEPARTURE
- VHF Communications: SET FOR DEPARTURE
- DME's CHECK
- DME Switch: STANDBY
- Engine Controls: SET FOR START
- Parking Brake: SET
- Stabilizer Trim: CHECK
- Stabilizer Trim: SET FOR DEPARTURE
- Flight Director (if required): CHECK
- Flight Director (if required): SET FOR DEPARTURE
- Autopilot: DISENGAGE
- Audio Selector Panel: SET
- Rudder Trim: FREE and ZERO
- Rudder Trim: ZERO
- Aileron Trim: FREE and ZERO
- Aileron Trim: ZERO
- Stabilizer Brake Release: DISENGAGE
- Dispatch Papers: ABOARD
- V2 Speed and Takeoff EPR Bugs: SET
- Takeoff Information: CHECK
- Gear Pins: REMOVED

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How the frick do all the controls lock on take off?

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On larger aircraft there is a gust lock lever. It must have been inadvertently engaged during takeoff or shortly after.