What Really Happened Aboard Air France 447

[helosailor]

I agree with all of the above but if you are cruising at 37k why would you pull up?

Based on erroneous readings (because of the iced-up pitot/static system), he thought thought they were descending. Or, he was just a n00b that didn't know what he was doing.

[Taylor]

It's scary how dumb and technology dependent the world has become--from cashiers who can't make change without reading a register screen to pilots who can't fathom that the computers have failed and they're flying on their own.
It's fear of this type of technology rendered stupidity that gets me worried about the future of health care.

Watson will diagnose us. I'm fine with that.

Soon, you will step into chamber and your exact illness will be diagnosed in seconds. What is to fear about this? I'd rather get it right the first time.

[2011GT]

Based on erroneous readings (because of the iced-up pitot/static system), he thought thought they were descending. Or, he was just a n00b that didn't know what he was doing.

I read it a few hours ago but I thought the pitot system only was disabled. You being a pilot you know that the static system is for elevation. Still though 75 times the plane yelled "stall", idiots. Basically it was two f/o's that neither was capable of making a command decision. I also can't believe the Captain didn't rush to the cockpit when the plane pitched so quickly. 7000 fpm is insane not to mention the engines screaming at TOGA.

[2011GT]

Watson will diagnose us. I'm fine with that.

Soon, you will step into chamber and your exact illness will be diagnosed in seconds. What is to fear about this? I'd rather get it right the first time.

LOL like star trek

[Treasure Chest]

Watson will diagnose us. I'm fine with that.

Soon, you will step into chamber and your exact illness will be diagnosed in seconds. What is to fear about this? I'd rather get it right the first time.

Technology is great, as long as it's capable of functioning. If everyone is completely dependent on machines, doctors will lose the basic ability to diagnose based on symptoms and examination, when needed.

[helosailor]

I read it a few hours ago but I thought the pitot system only was disabled. You being a pilot you know that the static system is for elevation. Still though 75 times the plane yelled "stall", idiots. Basically it was two f/o's that neither was capable of making a command decision. I also can't believe the Captain didn't rush to the cockpit when the plane pitched so quickly. 7000 fpm is insane not to mention the engines screaming at TOGA.

I'm not a pilot, I "just" fixed them and worked with engineering on them, and also worked in the operational program. I do have a lot of time on the flight deck of the A330. The pitot and static systems are dependent on one another or at least in the same channels of the AFCS on many aircraft, the A330 included. Most likely, they the crew were both experiencing sensory overload with all of the warnings going simultaneously. All Airbuses really do have a nasty habit of throwing the entire checklist at you when anything goes wrong. Experience would (should) overcome most of that though. I place the ultimate blame and responsibility on the Captain, for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, why did it take him so long to get back to the FD? He must have been in the "sin bin", which is amidships and below the cabin. The flight deck crew are supposed to use the rest compartment that is immediately aft of the flight deck.
Secondly, why in the hell would he leave the most junior FO in charge, knowing the weather they were coming up against? Even with their underestimation, it still sounded rough enough that Robert should have been in charge, if not actually on the controls.
Not directly related to the Captain, but CRM should have addressed it...why, when Bonin was obviously struggling and overwhelmed, didn't Robert TAKE control. In a grave emergency, you don't ask for control, you take it. I HAVE THE CONTROLS, followed by a swift smack in the head if you don't get your point across.
There is no reason, other than the flight deck crew, that the aircraft could not have been saved and continued safely to its destination.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Pretty intense read. I was almost as pissed at the captain for leaving to take nap in the middle of a shit weather situation as I was at Bonin for being an absolute pig-headed moron.

[Forever_frost]

It's insane that this could happen. The plane is losing speed, nose is up and engines at full bore and you're still pulling up?

[Captain Crawfish]

definately some very clueless pilots. if the thing is stalling you dont try to stall it more. people that fly professionally should know this

[onemeangixxer7502]

Was a little more pissed a highly experienced captain left two idiots in control and then didn't make himself available while any of this was going on.

This is how they gain experience, obviously he didn't think things would go to shit like that.

It's insane that this could happen. The plane is losing speed, nose is up and engines at full bore and you're still pulling up?

That's a bit harder to understand, I imagine all of his instruments minus airspeed was working. Even then you can look at VSI and if its climbing you're slowing down.

definately some very clueless pilots. if the thing is stalling you dont try to stall it more. people that fly professionally should know this

Not being a pilot its hard to say what some one might do when they're scared. As a instructor I've seen people do exactly what they're not supposed to when they get scared.

It's scary how dumb and technology dependent the world has become--from cashiers who can't make change without reading a register screen to pilots who can't fathom that the computers have failed and they're flying on their own.
It's fear of this type of technology rendered stupidity that gets me worried about the future of health care.

These things are technologically advanced you really can't fly it with out some sort of assistance. Not being in their shoes its really hard to evaluate what was going on. Its easy for one to sit back and read whats going on but if you were there and put on the spot you might have reacted the wrong way as well

How many read that thinking "damnit push the nose down"?

Good read.

With out knowing the other inputs on the controls you'd really have no idea anyone is making a positive input. i dont think I'd like a control system like that.

[GE]

lol. How many of the people posting in this thread have a clue about how to fly an airplane?

[onemeangixxer7502]

lol. How many of the people posting in this thread have a clue about how to fly an airplane?

haha I do.They're so boring to fly though.

[Forever_frost]

lol. How many of the people posting in this thread have a clue about how to fly an airplane?

I don't but evidently, neither did they

[2011GT]

lol. How many of the people posting in this thread have a clue about how to fly an airplane?

I have my own SR71 I fly to work every morning. Don't you?

[Binky]

I have my own SR71 I fly to work every morning. Don't you?

P38. Gas prices were killin me so i sold my G5.