The gear can be lowered without hydraulic power. once again, the 737 can be brought to a safe stop without a drop of hydraulic fluid on board.
Evidently, the 737 was unable to stay aloft. What's more interesting is the reason why the two planes met each other. That is the primary cause of the accident, not the fact the landing gear was up/down, of whether they had loss of system A and/or B. Neither is it relevant to know exactly HOW the two planes collided. That is all secondary....
- Who didn't follow the RA, and why?
- Who caused the planes to be up there in the first place?
- Did ATC clear them? Did one of them climb / change level without informing ATC?
- Did one of them indeed turn off their transponder?
- Was ATC aware of an impending collision?
If these questions are answered in due time, will we all know the cause of the accident...
FN