BA 3200 MOD 1 Case Study Revised

Question 1- Were any moral issues involved in Mr. Vandivier's decision to write up the final qualifying report? Explain.

Mr. Vandivier's decision to write up the final qualifying report was not only unethical but immoral as well because he deliberately changed the original test results. According to the original test results the brakes couldn’t qualify the preliminary laboratory test in which Lawson build a prototype of the four-rotor brake and test it in the Goodrich laboratories. By simulating the weight of the A7D plane and its landing speed, Lawson was to ensure that the brake could "stop" the plane fifty-one consecutive times without any changes in the brake lining. Although he was aware of the fact that these brakes are small and that they could also cause the pilots death.

Question 2- In your judgment; is it morally right or morally wrong for a person in Mr. Vandivier's situation to write up a false report as he did? Formulate the moral standards on which your judgment is based. Do your standards meet the consistency requirement (that is, would you be willing to apply the same standards in other similar situations)?

It is morally incorrect to write a false report as Mr. Vandivier's did. He calculatingly manipulated the data to gain favorable test results. The judgment is based on the moral consciousness. I evaluated this as wrongful act based on moral institution by comparing and reasoning this voluntary action.

Question 3- In your opinion, would Mr. Vandivier be morally responsible for any "accidents" that resulted when pilots tested the brake? Explain your answer. Would this responsibility be shared with any others? Explain, with support/justification from the textbook and lectures.

In my opinion Mr. Vandivier is morally responsible for any "accidents" that resulted when pilots tested the brakes. Although, the brakes did not qualify for any laboratory test, the fraud report generated will still allow the brakes to be tested by real planes, and by real pilots. The fraud he conducted has lead him to a position of traitor. As A7D is an air force plane. Not only him but Searle Lawson as well. Considering the fact that he agreed to help him in such an unlawful, unethical act he is also responsible for this conduct. Mr. Russell Line, though he had the knowledge about Mr. Vandivier immoral conduct has advised Lawson to help him.