Originally Posted by
Don't sink
Here's a human factors thought, they are hot and high, they take the gear early as you do! All very rushed as these approaches always are. But getting to 2000' they are getting back on to a sort of correct profile, start to relax, PF gets back into the groove thinks all is looking good so calls for gear down as you would normally at that altitude, PNF selects gear UP!!!!
Well, the gear lever on the A320, as on the vast majority or aircraft, moves
DOWN vvvvvv to lower the gear, and
UP ^^^^^^^ to raise the gear. That is a fairly unignorable industry-wide visual and haptic signal of the intended gear position.
However, since I firmly believe that pilots have
and will do the most unbelievable things, I can't rule that out. It is obvious that one way or another, this crew was doing things "no pilot would ever do." Nor are they alone in that, as many accident reports will bear out.
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BTW - the Aviation Herald is now reporting the
CVR "cover" has been found, but the data module is missing. The search of the wreckage continues, and locals have been asked to turn over any aircraft parts they may have found.
http://avherald.com/h?article=4d7a6e9a&opt=0