One of the threads that keeps popping up in our What Went Wrong series is the fact that cost cutting and the need to save money (or in some cases, make money) almost always inevitably plays a role in the factors that led up to a disaster. Poor quality materials in order to save money. A change in design that wasn't properly tested due to high costs. A lack of maintenance due to cost cutting. An unnecessary renovation to beautify a perceived eyesore in rich neighborhood so someone can speculate on land values. The need to go forward with a lucrative launch or fly faster and farther without spending more. At the end of the day, the factors that caused a number of the world's most high profile disasters comes down, sadly, to money.
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