Industry rumours there may had been significantly in excess of a dozen deadheading flight crew on-board.
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Unlawful interference by overpowering the flight controls by a 3rd party is rather beyond imaginable, given the physical and procedural barriers. Mainline Chinese carriers employ uniformed security guards and cockpit access procedures are strict 100% post-9/11.
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Was there really a climb segment before the impact? If so, one speculative chain of events:
- upset + loss of control / spatial disorientation at high alt
- high speed dive with severely abnormal attitude in IMC
- break cloud with crew regaining orientation but overstressing the airframe during a belated attempt to avoid crashing which was impossible to pull (no pun).
- partial physical brake-up of aerodynamic surfaces due to overload, namely some of the tail structure
- dismembered hull plunges to the ground.
As clueless as anyone. Is the countrywide grounding of 737-800 by CAAC confirmed?
Last edited by FlightDetent; 22nd March 2022 at 15:12.