The race is on for searchers to locate the black boxes from Air France flight 447, as their locator beacons are only active for 30 days. However, preliminary evidence has been released by the airline which shows that, in the minutes leading up to the crash, two key computers malfunctioned and the plane was not flying at its ideal speed.
The data provides a chronology, albeit cryptic, of what happened in the minutes before the plane’s failure.
3am (BST) – The pilot reports hitting tropical turbulence, data says the plane had passed through “tall, dense cumulonimbus thunderclouds.”
Apparently at this stage, the plane’s speed was “erroneous.” Every plane has an ideal speed at which to travel through difficult weather, and AF 447 was not traveling at that speed – it is unknown at this point, however, if the plane was traveling too fast or too slowly.
3:10am – Pilot is presented with a series of error messages in the four minutes leading up to the disaster.
The auto-pilot system was disconnected, either by the pilot or automatically. (Auto-pilot shut down when the system is faced with a serious error.)
It is possible the pilot disconnected the system to try to manually avoid a dangerous cloud zone – at this high altitude, this maneuver is extremely dangerous.
At this same time, another emergency backup system switched on – this system allows the plane to keep flying using minimum power, but reduces stability.
3:12am – Two vital computers, which provide information on altitude, speed and flight direction, stopping working correctly.
3:13am – Electricity breakdowns in two principal and auxiliary flight computers.
3:14am – Final message: “cabin in vertical speed,” which suggests a sudden loss of cabin pressure. It is unclear whether this loss of pressure was because the plane broke apart in midair, or if the loss of pressure caused the plane to break apart. (The theory that the break broke apart in the air is lent credence by a Spanish pilot who was in the area who claims to have seen an “intense white flash” in the air.)
Sources close to the investigation argue that some of the details in the chronology are false, namely the fact that the computers providing info on altitude, etc, malfunctioned.
Searchers are continuing to scour the area for debris, and more information on what happened. Read more…
An Air France overnight flight from Paris to Rio de Janeiro has disappeared off radar, and is presumed crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. 228 people were on-board the Airbus 330. The plane was last heard from when it encountered severe turbulence and thunderstorms, when it reported some electrical faults and loss of cabin pressure.
It is unusual for a modern airliner to disappear over open ocean without notification, although there is no evidence of hijacking or terrorism. Read more…
This can’t possibly be good news. I am all for Wifi on flights, but calls? Oh no, sacre bleu!
read more.
BOTHELL, Wash., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Forget the flowers, chocolates, and jewelry this February. Take a lesson in romance from the birthplace of passion and make this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration one that you’ll remember forever. Air France Holidays is offering specially priced Valentine’s Day packages to Paris, Nice, Rome and Barcelona that are sure to inspire excitement in every relationship.
“These packages were created in some of the most romantic destinations in the world,” stated Martin Froggatt, Air France Holidays Vice President of Operations. “Air France Holidays will take care of all the trip planning details. You and your special someone will be able to simply enjoy the time together surrounded by all the passion that Europe is famous for.”
Air France Holidays’ Valentine’s travel packages are priced from $799 and include roundtrip airfare on Air France, 3-night hotel accommodations, half-day city tour, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and surcharges, and airline fuel surcharges. Prices do not include airport taxes and fees.
For more information about the Valentine’s travel packages and to make a reservation, please visit http://www.airfranceholidays.com or call a reservations specialist at 800-237-2623 (6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday - Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday).
When traveling with Air France Holidays you can expect the very best. Our travel experts are trained to assist in every detail from the start of the booking process through the completion of the travel experience. Air France Holidays’ commitment to excellence has been recognized by the French Government Tourist Office in 2005, 2006, and 2007 as the recipient of their “Tour Operator of the Year” award.
About Air France Holidays:
Air France Holidays is the tour division of Air France, a private label vacation program operated by Europe Express First Choice since 2004. Air France Holidays offers exciting air-inclusive vacations to France, Tahiti, as well as popular cities in Europe and other international destinations. Customized itineraries, group vacations, and special interest activities provide flexibility and added trip personalization. Travelers can travel with Air France Holidays from 125 U.S. cities through code-share agreement with SkyTeam partners Delta, Continental and Northwest.
BOTHELL, Wash., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Escape to Europe this winter with your special someone and experience two cities filled with culture, romance, and charm. In Paris, take in the romantic sights and sounds of a city famous for passion. Then head off to Prague to the land of castles and cobblestones, and beat the winter chill by snuggling up to a cozy fire. Air France Holidays is offering Paris and Prague travel packages from $819.
“Paris and Prague are magnificent cities,” stated Martin Froggatt, Air France Holidays Vice President of Operations. “This package will allow travelers to discover the distinct qualities of each and decide for themselves which city is the most spectacular. As always, traveling with Air France Holidays assures quality, value, and service with each and every destination.”
Air France Holidays’ Paris and Prague travel package is priced from $819 and includes roundtrip airfare on Air France, 3-night hotel accommodations in Paris, 3-night hotel accommodations in Prague, continuing flight between Paris and Prague, continental breakfast daily, hotel taxes and surcharges, and airline fuel surcharges. Prices do not include airport taxes and fees.
For more information about the Paris and Prague travel package and to make a reservation, please visit http://www.airfranceholidays.com or call a reservations specialist at 800-237-2623 (6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT Monday - Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Saturday and Sunday).
When traveling with Air France Holidays you can expect the very best. Our travel experts are trained to assist in every detail from the start of the booking process through the completion of the travel experience. Air France Holidays’ commitment to excellence has been recognized by the French Government Tourist Office in 2005, 2006, and 2007 as the recipient of their “Tour Operator of the Year” award.
About Air France Holidays:
Air France Holidays is the tour division of Air France, a private label vacation program operated by Europe Express First Choice since 2004. Air France Holidays offers exciting air-inclusive vacations to France, Tahiti, as well as popular cities in Europe and other international destinations. Customized itineraries, group vacations, and special interest activities provide flexibility and added trip personalization. Travelers can travel with Air France Holidays from 125 U.S. cities through code-share agreement with SkyTeam partners Delta, Continental and Northwest.
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