Had the aeroplane reached V2, in all probability a positive climb gradient would have resulted. An engine deliberately shut down even though it was producing thrust would not have helped the situation.
With the aircraft outside scheduled performance limits, a desperate atttempt to reach Le Bourget was perhaps the only option once the aircraft's fate was sealed by the uncommanded shut down of No 2 and No 1 starting to fail before V2 had been achieved.
Limits are limits. They must be observed precisely; any pilot knowingly taking-off in contravention of such limits is acting in a criminally irresponsible manner. One hopes that this is not a culture which exists in many companies.......
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: BEagle ]