Sample Performance Task

You are the assistant to Pat Williams, the president of DynaTech, a company that makes precision electronic instruments and navigational equipment. Sally Evans, a member of DynaTech's sales force, recommended that DynaTech buy a small private plane (a SwiftAir 235) that she and other members of the sales force could use to visit customers. Pat was about to approve the purchase when there was an accident involving a SwiftAir 235. You are provided with the following documentation: 

1: Newspaper articles about the accident 

2: Federal Accident Report on in-flight breakups in single engine planes 

3: Pat's e-mail to you & Sally's e-mail to Pat 

4: Charts on SwiftAir's performance characteristics 

5: Amateur Pilot article comparing SwiftAir 235 to similar planes 

6: Pictures and description of SwiftAir Models 180 and 235 

Please prepare a memo that addresses several questions, including what data support or refute the claim that the type of wing on the SwiftAir 235 leads to more in-flight breakups, what other factors might have contributed to the accident and should be taken into account, and your overall recommendation about whether or not DynaTech should purchase the plane.