sevenstrokeroll;
Excellent summary of the real truth; - thanks for posting.
Contrary to almost every opinion and speculation here, it wasn't "slats" or a failed TOCW system that "caused" this accident.
"No slats" was the result of an earlier series of commissions/ommisions, some with antecdents that were years in the making, most occurred in the hours and minutes before the accident. I agree with you that we cannot discount low-time/inexperience. Whether it is a factor may or may not be determined by the investigation; it depends on how far the judges are willing to go I guess but it would be both a shame and wrong to stop at the cockpit door.
Any other attributed "cause" is a form of tautology and not a solution to why this aircraft crashed. The key is, why did this crew not extend the high lift devices? The rest are details. The pilots failed. Why?
Last edited by PJ2; 19th Sep 2008 at 02:31.