Missing Air France jet 'hit by electric fault'

[Locutus]

At a minimum, in my mind it is as least as likely as a catastrophic electrical failure that takes out all redundant systems on board the aircraft!

I keep reading speculation surrounding the storm and/or lightening taking down this aircraft, and I am having a hard time accepting that as the cause. It may very well end up being the case, but right now I'm not ready to buy it.

They fly those things in all kinds of weather and train to do so. Ice is their worst enemy along with wind shear. But at 35,000 feet I believe most competent commercial pilots would be able to recover from a wind shear incident.

Lightening is also accounted for within the aircraft and its systems, with flights taking direct hits, and sometimes multiple hits, on a daily basis world wide. They are built to do so. . .

Something strikes me as hinkey with this whole scenario. I've been wrong many times before though. . .

Remember though, the A330 is fly-by-wire. 

That means a computer is right smack in between the pilots and the flight control actuators.  In an electronics failure, if the redundant systems were also affected, there could have been a loss of control of the aircraft.  No control over the flight control surfaces and you're most likely going down, especially if in turbulence and storms.

[Palehorse]

It's a 330 isn't it? I'm pretty sure it was. The 320 only holds about 6,000 US gallons of fuel verses the 330's 25,600.

The 320 only holds 150 passengers verses the 258 or so of the 330.

They use the 330 series for refueling tanker aircraft as well if I recall. . .

[Locutus]

Yes, sorry it was a 330.  Typo. 

Still, same fly by wire system on that series of aircraft.

[Exterminator]

They've found a large section of the aircraft and a second, "huge" oil slick, 50 or so miles south of the initial debris discovery according to CNN.

I speculate they are now a lot closer to where the main aircraft is and the initial point of impact. . .

Hey, that bomb thing could turn out to be no joke. . . Certainly is not outside the realm of possibility given the circumstances surrounding how this aircraft went down. . .

If it was a bomb, a) they are less likely to find larger pieces of the aircraft still intact, and b) they will be able to test any piece they do find and be able to tell in short order that explosives were the cause.

[Exterminator]

. . .And another thing. . .

They found seats and parts in 4 different areas, and two oil slicks 56 miles apart. Wouldn't that be indicative, at least on some level, of the aircraft breaking apart in flight? I realize that wind and current will separate debris sometimes, and the area this plane went down in is a juncture for the trade winds and currents. . . so maybe that's it. . .

I think you underestimate the forces on something as large as an A330 falling out of the sky from 35,000 feet.

[Palehorse]

Yes, sorry it was a 330.  Typo. 

Still, same fly by wire system on that series of aircraft.

Yep. They also have the side mounted stick controls on this series of aircraft verses the traditional center mounted yoke.

[Palehorse]

I think you underestimate the forces on something as large as an A330 falling out of the sky from 35,000 feet.

No, but I did fail to account for the fact that a loss of electronics on a level that would also take out redundant systems renders the friggin thing uncontrollable. . . Now that would definately cause it to break up in flight. . .

They have not conducted tests for explosive residue, that they are saying at this time anyway. I venture to say we won't hear anything for quite some time; as in years. It'll take them the rest of the year at minimum to raise whatever is left from Davey Jones locker. . .

[Locutus]

I really hope they can recover the CVR and FDR.  Those are the only things that may tell us exactly what happened and shed some light on why it crashed.  That's a TALL order in the kind of weather that they're in.  The floor of the Atlantic is also very mountainous in that area.  It will be a challenge, but I really hope they find them.

[Locutus]

This is the approximate location that we're talking about.



Looks like they made it about half way across before running into trouble.

[Palehorse]

They can find them, its just a matter of time, dollars, and equipment. Let's hope they came to rest atop one of those mountains instead of at the bottom of it.

I guess the loss of cabin pressure is also related to the electronic systems failure. . . I just normally associate that with loss of cabin integrity though. . . And I wonder if the message surrounding cabin pressure loss was at the front of the 4-5 minutes in which these messages were sent????

Given the low profit levels of airlines these days I am also wondering how much time and $$ they'll spend before giving up?

And just for clarification sake, I am not a pilot. Most of the info I know comes from the manufacturer's web sites. I do however have this quirk; You know how when you fly they typically tell you the type of aircraft you are flying on? Well, I look that stuff up beforehand for some reason. In fact I do not feel comfortable flying unless I've done so. . . Weird I know. . .

I'd love to be able to fly but . . . not something I can afford anyway so why bother??

[Palehorse]

Submersibles on the way to the sites but being delayed by high seas. ETA sometime next week.

CVR and FDR both contain location transmitters that transmit for up to 30 days, which should make locating them a little easier once the subs get there. (If they're still working).

I read speculation that the huge oil slicks are indicative of the plane not breaking up and burning before impact. . . And then more speculation that it doesn't indicate any such thing. . .

Frickin media sluts. . .

Our own discussions serve as a much more reliable source of information and brainstorming. . .

[Exterminator]

I'd love to be able to fly but . . . not something I can afford anyway so why bother??

Have you never read my signature line?   

[Exterminator]

I read speculation that the huge oil slicks are indicative of the plane not breaking up and burning before impact. . . And then more speculation that it doesn't indicate any such thing. . .

They are starting to indicate that the clues they are finding so far are not consistent with either a fire or an explosion.  Guess I should start setting the table...Henry, would you like a side dish with your crow?   

[Palehorse]

They are starting to indicate that the clues they are finding so far are not consistent with either a fire or an explosion.  Guess I should start setting the table...Henry, would you like a side dish with your crow?   

That there crow might be cold before you can serve it up though. . . They still are not ruling out foul play either. . . And it may be quite awhile before they say one way or another.

It'll be very interesting to hear what their final ruling is surrounding cause. . .

[Palehorse]

Have you never read my signature line?   

Yea. . . Had some experiences with that hobby of yours while with my uncle Sam. . . I'm thinking that was enough for my personal tastes. . .