A Reuters reports has revealed the terrified pilots’ final words before Brazil’s worst air disaster.
A congressional into the aviation crisis heard the frantic last minutes of cockpit conversation, with viewers following the drama on national television, the transcript showing the pilots were aware a thrust reverser was disabled but were unable to stop the plane.
In late July, the airline said a thrust reverser on the plane had been deactivated during maintenance checks, the reversers used to help jets slow down on landing but TAM Airlines have insisted the deactivation was in accordance with proper procedures.
“Spoiler nothing,” one pilot says, referring to aerodynamic brakes on the plane’s wing.
“Slow down, slow down, slow down!” screams the other.
“I can’t, I can’t!” shouts the other pilot.
The final words heard in the cockpit are: “Turn, turn, turn!” “Oh my God.” Oh no!”, followed by screams and the sound of explosions.
The congressional committee decided to make public the cockpit transcript, but it examined the remaining data from the flight recorder privately.
However, Brazilian media yesterday reported the flight recorder data pointed to a lever to control engine speed being in the wrong position, which was probably a major cause of the air accident.
Data from the flight recorder suggested the thrust lever for one of the turbines was in the “accelerate” position when it should have been switched to idle.
The Airbus A320 operated by Brazilian carrier TAM Linhas Aereas barrelled off the wet runway on landing at Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo on July 17, crashed into a cargo terminal and burst into flames.
All 187 people on board and at least 12 more on the ground were killed.
Report by The Mole
