As posted by
ECAM Actions:
From some of the info now available, it is looking that the #2 reverser deployed.
This idea fits with the following details:
* Low airspeed (Vr, maybe V2 if he's lucky)
* Apparently no fire/explosion evident in CCTV footage
* Aircraft crashed to the right almost immediately after takeoff
* Detached reverser found in fully deployed position on ground
If #2 reverser deployment will be confirmed as a major factor in this accident, it reminds me of TAM flight 402 which crashed on Oct. 31, 1996 due to an uncommanded #2 thrust reverser deployment. This was a Fokker 100 (PT-MRK), an aircraft with similar geometry as the MD-82. Both types have similar (but system wise not identical) clamshell type reversers.
The Fo100 also became airborne briefly (no more than 150 feet), reached an attitude of pronounced tilting and veered to the right. Since this was Sao Paulo's Congonhas Airport, the aircraft descended and crashed into a residential area just outside the airport perimeter and below airport altitude.
In case of the TAM accident, the cause was traced to a dormant failure in the thrust reverser electrical control circuit. If the thrust reverser's secondary lock No. 1 relay failed in the energized position after normal deployment, this failure remained dormant without any indication to the flight crew. This was later corrected by a redesign of the electrical control circuit.
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