Originally Posted by
Realbabilu
It was engaged in 05:39:20 with AP CMD A for 30 seconds [off about 05:39:50], or i was wrong?
Since it engaged, the pilot confidence to told the FO retracting the flaps. 05:39:45
FDR ET AVJ
Take a look at the blue line named "AP Warn CAPT".
That's the autopilot disconnect warnings they got.
You get that warning when
1. autopilot has disengaged.
2. an autopilot engage attempt is made and is unsuccessful.
The first two warnings were because of the unsuccessful attempts to engage the autopilot at around 400 ft.
The third warning was when it was disconnected after about 30 sek on autopilot.
But there is also a fourth warning at 05:43:15, right after they made those two quick trim inputs.
It certainly looks like they made a failed attempt to engage the autopilot here, doesn't it?
Was that the plan?
To turn the trim cutout switches back on so they could reengage the autopilot, hoping the automation would sort out their problems?