More news in Portuguese this afternoon (3 Oct) from the Correio Brasiliense, a Brasilia newspaper not noted for sensationalism:
http://www2.correioweb.com.br/cbonli...ri_bra_193.htm
The article seems more accurate in terminology. It begins by focussing on the lack of timely communication between Brasilia ATC (Cindacta 1) and Manaus (Cindacta 4) and between these centres and the aircraft themselves, based on radar and comms recordings in the respective centres.
It then moves to actions on the part of the Legacy crew whose CVR and FDR began being analysed on Friday. The Legacy crew were interviewed in Rio on Monday by the aeronautical authorities who, by that time, had heard the CVR and conducted at least a superficial analysis of the FDR. Details not revealed but the article states that at some point after passing Brasilia the Legacy’s transponder was switched off, thus rendering the secondary radar returns that rely on the transponder and which would have more precisely established altitude, virtually useless (primary radar being able to track course accurately but altitude only to ±1,500’). Then, that the Legacy began a series of brusque manoevers up and down, left and right, descending at one point to FL 320 before resuming FL 370, those manoeuvers further complicating interpretation of radar signals.
Around that time Brasilia, unable to make radio contact with the Legacy, transferred control to Manaus, who then failed to take into account their own 738 and did not avail themselves of the Cachimbo mountain range radar assembly to more accurately track the Legacy.
At one point the article states that the accident committee believe the Legacy crew did see the 738 and attempted evasive action, too late. “Proof” offered of this being the transponder’s being switched back on shortly after the collision and, simultaneously, an emergency landing at Cachimbo AF base being requested.
The article contains a list of errors on the part of ATC and the Legacy, free translation:
ATC
- The Legacy was not alerted when it maintained FL 370 after passing Brasilia.
- ATC should have tried to alert the Legacy via any other aircraft.
- Manaus ATC alerted neithter of the aircraft of the possibility of collision
Legacy
- Did not follow the flight plan filed at Sao Jose dos Campos which included descent to FL 360 on passing Brasilia.
- Switched off transponder and performed dangerous maneouvers blinding the radar and making Cindacta 1 (Brasilia) and 4 (Manaus) work more difficult.
- Ignored repeated alerts from Brasilia ATC whilst varying altitude by up to 3,000 feet.
There is also a bit about standard commercial flight procedures ex Manaus, from which the Gol 738 was cleared to FL 410 normally to be accomplished in steps, on autopilot.
There are contradictions just about everywhere. Reports of “100 bodies in the tail section” yesterday have been adjusted to 50. The Gol 738’s recorders were recovered from the tail yesterday or today and the investigation team have been given 40 days to deliver a report. “Official” news is being delivered through daily press conferences by ANAC but reporters are getting more information and, of course, contradictory leads, from contacts on the accident site and in the investigation group.