Classic Case: de Havilland’s Falling Comet

The de Havilland story is a fascinating example of a well-respected organization that sought to be first to market with a radical new technology and cut some important safety corners with disastrous results.

Questions:

1. How could risk management have aided in the development of the Comet?

2. Discuss the various types of risk (technical, financial, commercial, etc.) in relation to the Comet. Develop a qualitative risk matrix for these risk factors and assess them in terms of probability and consequences.

3. Given that a modified version of the Comet (the Comet IV) was used until recently by the British government as an antisubmarine warfare aircraft, it is clear that the design flaws could have been corrected given enough time. What, then, do you see as de Havilland’s critical error in the development of the Comet?

4. Comment on this statement: “Failure is the price we pay for technological advancement.”

In your own words.