The flight operations were normal and the aircraft was cruising at FL380 (38000 ft). The flight was in good radio communication with Gaborone Area control on frequency 126.1 MHZ.
The Namibian Radar Data playback revealed that at position EXEDU, which is a mandatory reporting point in the Gaborone FIR (Flight information region) the aircraft commenced a sudden descent from the normal cruising level of FL380.
Radar contact and voice contact was lost with ATS (Air Traffic Services) search and rescue was instituted and thereby located the wreckage the following day in the Bwabwata National park. A team lead by Namibian Investigators were dispatched immediately, the onsite investigations commenced and were able to retrieve the FDR/CVR recorders.
The recorders were sent to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) laboratories in Washington DC for readout.
The flight data and cockpit voice recorders revealed the following:
- The aircraft was operating at normal conditions and no mechanical faults were detected.
- Minutes before the crash the F/O (first officer) left the cockpit for the lavatory and only the captain remained in the Flight Deck.
- The altitude was manually selected three times from 38000ft to the final 592ft (below ground elevation).
- Auto throttle was manually reengaged and throttle level automatically retarded and set to idle.
- The Airspeed was manually selected several times until the end of the recording, which remained close to the Vmo (maximum operating limit speed).
- The speed brake handle parameter indicates it was commanded to open the spoiler panels and remained in this situation until the end of the recording. This was manually commanded as the parameter monitors the handle position.
- During all this actions there was audible low and high chimes as well as repeated banging an indication for call to enter the cockpit.
No comments:
Post a Comment