I argued Batouty's corner against all the suppositions and speculation made on incomplete evidence on this site during the initial investigation. After Boeing were finally moved to conduct appropriate in-depth examinations of elevator control system wreckage and conducted proper and in-depth investigations of failure modes, the trail lead right back to Batouty. Once a proper empirical examination of the elevator control system was documented, I was finally convinced that he deliberately crashed the aircraft. An accident investigation must consider ALL possible alternatives then work through them, not rely on a single source or theory. Many people have been convicted of serious crimes on the basis of incomplete but apparently damning evidence, then subsequently found to have been innocent. You may recall that there were unresolved problems with the elevator power control units at the time.
[Interestingly, despite considerable research and in depth analysis of failed components, Boeing has still not discovered the reason for the B767 elevator input bellcrank shear rivet failures and the only action available is to continue the 400 hour "single source" inspections. Which continue to find sheared rivets, but I digress]
But this article isn't a balanced and reasoned account at all. It contains misreading of the time line and the order of events, supposition about events that were not recorded and all the other things that alarmed me at the time. These inaccuracies are embedded into what superficially appears to be an impartial assessment, making me wonder what the writers motives were. Why change the order of events to fit the theory? Did he read the same NTSB charts and print outs that are published for the rest of us to see? The article includes most of the original suppositions and goes further in attacking the Egyptian delegation for their dogged insistance on keeping the investigation going. The cost to the American taxpayer is immaterial, the US Government were asked to carry out the investigation and voluntarily agreed to do so. Any Americans who are bothered by the cost can take it up with their Congressional Representative.
I'm still astonished that someone within the investigation leaked an inaccurate version of the words spoken by Batouty and that no inquiry into who did this has ever been reported. The case was 'solved' and blame apportioned almost as soon as the CVR had been read. There is still no explanation of the reason for the NTSB's violation of their own rules about the composition of investigating teams.
It wasn't just the Egyptian delegation that were disturbed by the way things were done. I have no connection whatsoever with EgyptAir but I was alarmed too. The fact is that this investigation was not in the best traditions of the NTSB. The leaks and the supposition that arose from them were inexcusable and we can only hope that they never indulge in such a disgraceful performance again. It will be a long time before the NTSB recovers their reputation for impartial and thorough investigation.
**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema
[ 23 February 2002: Message edited by: Blacksheep ]</p>