Summary

Chapter 7 is called "The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes." Gladwell describes the terrible crash of Korean Airlines Flight 801 in 1997, when the plane flies into a hillside while landing on the island of Guam. The pilot, Gladwell explains, is very experienced and is recognized for his safety record. According to the flight recorders, the pilot has difficulty seeing the runway in heavy rain and is confused by his instrument readings that indicates he is lower than he expects. The plane hits a hillside near the airport, killing 228 people.

The crash is part of a pattern of crashes by Korea Airline flights, Gladwell explains. In the previous twenty years, the airline experiences numerous crashes. Its safety record is so bad that some countries consider banning the airline from operating inside their borders. Korean Airlines performs an internal audit and...