In the TV report aired on HDNet Tuesday, Rather said that an aluminum body is safer than a carbon fiber airframe because it's not brittle, won't shatter on impact and doesn't emit poisonous chemicals when it's burning. Rowe counters that by pointing out the plethora of toxic fumes to worry about if a plane crashes no matter what its airframe is made of, and then astutely points out that military aircraft, race cars, train cars and sports cars have been constructed of carbon composite for years and have been subjected to horrific forces that in some cases show carbon fiber holding up even better than aluminum.

Rowe also got in touch with Cirrus Design which has been building aircraft out of composite materials for years, and that company's experts add that in some cases composites have better energy absorption in an impact than aluminum.

Rowe has now updated his post with even more experts chiming in to agree that Rather's assertions weren't worth the HD they were broadcast on. It's a great read that gets right at the truth. [Wired]

A. "In recent years, the nexus between powerful journalists and people of corporate power has become far too close."
B. "What we need in journalism is a spine transplant."
C. "A great deal of the time, a source is using the reporter, and vice versa. As soon as the source begins to feel the reporter can be pulled in and be part of the team, he's gone too far."
D. "Listen, you've been a terrific audience, and if you'll indulge me, I'd like to tick off a few of my notes. First, a plug for HDTV, for whom I'm working now."

Seriously, Dan? Seriously? –Adam Frucci

Dan Rather at SXSW: "What a Steaming Blob of Horsehockey" [PopSci Blog]