A major aircraft incident is of course tragic, and I sincerely hope my following comments do not obviate such.
I think it is safe to say that some folk in Arlington County VA, where Boeing is now HQ'd, are "excreting bricks". The incident was either equipment malfunction or Pilot Error. The widely circulated videos of the aircraft taking off clearly show that the flaps were not extended and any kid with his Flight Sim game knows "his" aircraft will not climb without that extension.
Now to what extent the NTSB can have any standing in the matter (US designed and built aircraft) is in the hands of the Indian authorities. They, along with Boeing and GE Aerospace (engines), will have representatives on the ground, but to what extent they participate is also in the hands of the Indians.
Will there be as thorough an investigation as the NTSB is well known for, or will it be a Whitewash, more likely than not laying it on Boeing and/or GE?
It sure will be interesting to watch this play out in recognized media - and most definitely not on the pages of www.airliners.net
posted
There is a video circulating showing something falling off the aircraft seconds before impact. NTSB on the case.
George Harris Member # 2077
posted
What happened? Notice more recent posts on this thread have disappeared.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
posted
I think Gil deleted everything because of the progress (or lack of same) of the case.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
The posts I submitted, while drawn from what I believe to be reliable news sources, were proving to contain too much speculation.
Accordingly, at this site that allows an author to have control of their material, I chose to delete them.
George Harris Member # 2077
posted
Understood
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
OK; I'll share this report from The Journal, as I have much respect for a publication I've read for now over sixty years.
Fair Use:
quote: Key Points
A black-box recording indicates Air India flight’s captain switched off fuel-control switches, according to people familiar with U.S. officials’ early assessment of the investigation.
The first officer questioned the captain’s apparent actions and expressed surprise and then panic, while the captain remained calm, the people said.
Indian authorities’ preliminary report from the probe didn’t answer whether turning off the switches may have been accidental or deliberate.
While not to minimize the tragic loss of life, apparently from the intentional act of one person, at least Boeing and GE Aerospace are "off the hook".
Not so "off the hook" are Air India's management and their employees' Union that allowed such a misfit on to the Flight Deck.
posted
Mike, while "The BEEB" is to be commended for their "level" reporting, considering the remaining cultural ties between India and the UK, I don't see anything within such to put either Boeing or GE Aerospace "back on the hook". The report does not move the cause of the incident away from an intentional act by either, or both, officers on the Flight Deck.
posted