SMEAR CAMPAIGN? Published May 6, 2007 By A.L. Wilke Via e-mail -- In Torch you run a lot of articles every issue on aircraft crashes that involve pilot error. In the November/December 2006 issue under "Clear the Runway," your target is two B-1B Bomber pilots who failed to lower the landing gear during the aircraft's approach and landing, which resulted in the aircraft crashing on the runway ("Pilot Error Causes B-1B Crash," page 24). Are you trying to embarrass or condemn the pilots by running these stories? I thought we weren't a "One Mistake Air Force." No, we are not "trying to embarrass or condemn the pilots." On the contrary, we are trying to help all pilots by sharing this information, which is released to the public after the accident investigation board reports are complete. We run them in Torch because part of any strong mishap prevention program is to learn from past mistakes. In the B-1B crash, for example, there are many safety lessons to be emphasized: Beware of task over-saturation, avoid "get-there-itis," check instruments, use checklists, communicate better, etc. All are important lessons learned.