AF447: Flight Data Recorder Recovered

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MNgopher: Those "sources" are likely within the BEA and have conveniently leaked certain information to the media.

My only source for information from this accident has been the Wall Street Journal (because I read it in hardcopy and/or online everyday and it's more balanced than most other media sources (notice I did not say it was "perfect")) or Aviation Week and Space Technology.

Now, being a private pilot and thus, pro-aviation and pro-pilot, I can't help but wonder at the direction of the leaked information. i.e., "pilot error."

With a highly suspect pitot tube (Airbus) and a suspect Air Data Computer (Airbus), it would be tough to extract one's self from this predicament, regardless of experience and religious adherence to emergency checklists.

Granted, everyone is a Monday morning quarterback, but it is valid to question why they elected to fly through the path of a storm, rather than deviate around it.

However, based on what I've read so far, I'd have to say the airplane gave up before the flightcrew did.
 
Recognize that Airbus and Air France are already pointing fingers at each other and it isn't hard to figure out who is leaking things and why. I'd be surprised if the official source is BEA - more likely Airbus or AF personnel who have access to some information.

Regardless, drawing conclusions from information from "unnamed sources" is dangerous when you don't know the motives.

When the BEA releases the info, it will become clear to all. The early info is more like propaganda.
 
I agree the aircraft gave up before the crew did. Thanks to 757 Guy for detail on the weather conditions during the accident. The flight crew elected to penetrate thunderstorms, cold soaked aircraft gets slammed with warm air.

Now not only does it instantly get covered in ice there is now no vertical control as the tail section has no de-icing system but you no longer have cold dense air to support the aircraft at that weight so it sinks rapidly.

Pitot-static system is iced up, ADIRU's give up and like 757 Guy said once the pitot tube is iced the airspeed indicator turns into an altimeter. Which very well could have indicated the aircraft was flying at Vne leading to closing of the thrust levers in all the confusion.

Now even with the PFD's being no help there is a gyro-powered attitude indicator. With three pilots in the flight deck someone had to have noticed it.

I'm curious to find out what the final verdict is.
 
Originally Posted By: dkryan
However, based on what I've read so far, I'd have to say the airplane gave up before the flightcrew did.


What did you read?
 
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
Recognize that Airbus and Air France are already pointing fingers at each other and it isn't hard to figure out who is leaking things and why. Regardless, drawing conclusions from information from "unnamed sources" is dangerous when you don't know the motives.


I agree with your first sentence. As to the second sentence, I believe the motive(s) is clear to most of us at this point.
 
Originally Posted By: hhu168
Originally Posted By: dkryan
However, based on what I've read so far, I'd have to say the airplane gave up before the flightcrew did.


What did you read?


That was somewhat paraphrased, taking into account reports of three pilots being on board, suspect pitot tube(s), suspect data from the Air Data Computer, and the flightcrew's reported inability to sort out the warning messages. I was also concurring with 757Guy's comment that the airplane quit flying.
 
Here's the official report: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pd...ial-English.pdf

The aircraft hit the water in a relative flat attitude descending at 11,000 feet per minute. (Normal descent rate in a 757 during normal flight might be 1,500 feet per minute.) The wreckage showed the bottom of the fueslage was crushed due to the impact with the water.

Sounds like they could have been in a flat spin considering the rudder had been ripped off at some point during the accident, just my opinion, of course.

757 Guy
Delta Pilot - MSP
 
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Reading the interim report is not a good story to read. A descent rate of 11,000 feet per minute at the end is chilling. Amazing they went from relatively normal flight at 35,000+ feet to in the ocean in under 4 minutes.

Still a lot of unanswered questions, if not more, than before this information was released. However, it sheds light on the quickness this unfolded with.
 
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