AF flight from Rio missing [merged]
Jun 1, 2009, 10:43 am
#196
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YYZ/DLC
Programs: AP, HHonours Diamond
Posts: 3,722
The uncertainty of it all is just awful... I hope they find survivors... I had parents over the Atlantic about the same time as this flight (different route but AF) so it kind of reminded me of how greateful one should be of the time spent with loved ones...
Jun 1, 2009, 10:47 am
#197
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Toronto (YYZ)
Posts: 6,279
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
Air France received an automatic message from Flight 447 signalling an electrical circuit malfunction about four hours into the flight — at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday. The message came shortly after the flight crossed "through a thunderous zone with strong turbulence," said Air France officials.
François Brousse, the head of communications at Air France, told reporters several of the plane's mechanisms had malfunctioned, and that it could have been struck by lightning.
"It is probably a combination of circumstances that could have led to the crash," he said.
When asked whether the airline could rule out an attack, Gourgeon said he had "no way of answering that."
However, senior French government minister Jean-Louis Borloo ruled out the possibility of a hijacking.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/0...lantic001.html
François Brousse, the head of communications at Air France, told reporters several of the plane's mechanisms had malfunctioned, and that it could have been struck by lightning.
"It is probably a combination of circumstances that could have led to the crash," he said.
When asked whether the airline could rule out an attack, Gourgeon said he had "no way of answering that."
However, senior French government minister Jean-Louis Borloo ruled out the possibility of a hijacking.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/0...lantic001.html
Jun 1, 2009, 10:52 am
#199
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
Is it reasonable to assume that, either the aircraft suffered a fairly instantaneous catastrophic incident such as aircraft break-up or that the radio was somehow destroyed, given that there was no distress communication from the aircraft? [assuming there wasn't a terrorist take-over of the aircraft.]
Jun 1, 2009, 10:53 am
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
this what?
for the right personnel; I think easily
but I would guess that this stuff is either all being monitored live at some base(s) or via computer program that would alert armed forces personnel in the event of an anomoly (sic?)
for the right personnel; I think easily
but I would guess that this stuff is either all being monitored live at some base(s) or via computer program that would alert armed forces personnel in the event of an anomoly (sic?)
Jun 1, 2009, 10:54 am
#201
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: DFW, 3.5 MM, AA EXP, LIFETIME PLATINUM, MARRIOTT LIFETIME PLATINUM, STARWOOD AMBASSADOR 223 NIGHTS, AND LIFETIME GOLD, HILTON DIAMOND, NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ELITE
Posts: 5,847
This is so terribly sad. It really does not look good at all.
My deepest sympathies to the families of all aboard - my heart goes out to you.
May all of the passengers and crew rest in peace.
My deepest sympathies to the families of all aboard - my heart goes out to you.
May all of the passengers and crew rest in peace.
Jun 1, 2009, 10:54 am
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: Kommissar Giga-Posting Direktor, PWP; Fasano Nouveau Aristocrat; CO Platinum; BD Gold; MR Gold
Posts: 18,733
Details, please?
Regarding the overarching question of whether senior executives might fly commercial rather than private, I am not convinced that 'it is private jets every time.' Even if they generally fly private jets in Europe, and even perhaps to New York, Paribas may not own the plane that can fly GIG-CDG non-stop. Also, risk management might encourage them to split two senior executives up so that there would be less risk of losing two senior executives in one disaster. Would they fly two private planes or ask one executive to fly commercial?
Regarding the overarching question of whether senior executives might fly commercial rather than private, I am not convinced that 'it is private jets every time.' Even if they generally fly private jets in Europe, and even perhaps to New York, Paribas may not own the plane that can fly GIG-CDG non-stop. Also, risk management might encourage them to split two senior executives up so that there would be less risk of losing two senior executives in one disaster. Would they fly two private planes or ask one executive to fly commercial?
The Bombardier Global Express XRS has up to a 6,500 nm range and easily could do the flight.
There are other smaller aircraft that probably could do GIG-CDG without a refueling stop, as well, depending on cruise speed and wind.
Jun 1, 2009, 11:04 am
#204
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OSL, EWR, CPH
Programs: Hilton Diamond SAS EBG (Star Alliance Gold), CO (OnePass) Gold
Posts: 211
My prayers go to all aboard Flight AF 447 and their families.
Here are two other accounts (thankfully not fatal) of lightning strike mid air.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...e-Gatwick.html
and here Asiana Airlines:
http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST...d.php?idx=3920
Here are two other accounts (thankfully not fatal) of lightning strike mid air.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...e-Gatwick.html
and here Asiana Airlines:
http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST...d.php?idx=3920
Last edited by Christobal; Jun 1, 2009 at 11:16 am Reason: Added another lightning related incident
Jun 1, 2009, 11:09 am
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,562
Is it reasonable to assume that, either the aircraft suffered a fairly instantaneous catastrophic incident such as aircraft break-up or that the radio was somehow destroyed, given that there was no distress communication from the aircraft? [assuming there wasn't a terrorist take-over of the aircraft.]
1. Instant break-up in flight.
2. Loss of radio communications followed by loss of the aircraft.
I assume that had the aircraft landed at an airport somewhere, there would be some communication, most likely from a cell phone or from someone on the ground.
Jun 1, 2009, 11:09 am
#208
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
Jun 1, 2009, 11:14 am
#209
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
ACARS Message
ACARS mode: 2 Aircraft reg: F-GZCP [Airbus A332]
Message label: _ Block id: 0 Msg no: S72A
Flight id: AF0447 [GIG-CDG] [Air France]
----------------------------------------------------------[ 01/06/2009 00:53 ]-
Message label: _ Block id: 0 Msg no: S72A
Flight id: AF0447 [GIG-CDG] [Air France]
----------------------------------------------------------[ 01/06/2009 00:53 ]-
Jun 1, 2009, 11:18 am
#210
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
Considering many, including me, don't speak fluent french and not much has been confirmed/or is speculation, I was merely asking for the source, not contesting the news! And yes I agree you can't have a better source than the President of France on TV.