Microsoft software caused air traffic shutdown

Posted by AnonymousCoward on Sep 21, 2004 3:48 AM EDT
LA Times via Silicon.com; By Rupert Goodwins 		Mail this story
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A bug in a Microsoft system compounded by human error was ultimately responsible for a three-hour radio breakdown that left hundreds of aircraft aloft without guidance [...] In one case, a pilot had to take evasive action.

a Microsoft-based replacement for an older Unix system needed to be reset every thirty days 'to prevent data overload', as a result of problems found when the system was first rolled out. However, a technician failed to perform the reset at the right time and an internal clock within the system subsequently shut it down.

[...] Laura Brown, an FAA spokeswoman, said the agency plans to install a system that would issue a warning well before shutdown.

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there you go.. mmelchert 2 2,595 Sep 21, 2004 6:39 PM
The mind boggles bstadil 0 2,493 Sep 21, 2004 12:48 PM

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