I fly the Boeing 737 series jets, including the NG.
Question: was this crew flying an autoland approach? Was the flight management system set up to conduct an autoland operation: autopilot and autothrottles engaged both autopilots controlling the approach?
Observation: there was a known problem with the #1 radar altimeters. It had been observed in previous flights. And the flight data recorder had previously logged the #1 RA errors.
Question: was the “problem” with the #1 RA written up in the “logbook” or equivalent maintenance document? Follow up question. If the known #1 RA “problem” was not in the logbook, “written up” why was it not? And, if a known mechanical discrepancy exists is it an acceptable act (according to Turkish/IATA/EU law/policy) to NOT put the mechanical discrepancy in the controlling maintenance document for the aircraft (maintenance log or similar) at the end of the flight where the mechanical discrepancy was observed?
According to our “rules” (Company/FAA/U.S.A.) we need two (both) functioning radio altimeters to conduct an autoland approach. Unless we have declared an emergency and are using our emergency authority, we would be prohibited from conducting autoland (arm and engage both autopilots during an approach) operations with a known problem with either one of the two RAs.
Question: What is Turkish Airline’s rules regarding the number of functioning radar altimeters required to conduct autoland operations?
If both radar altimeters are required for an autoland approach, and the #1 radar altimeter was inoperative/problematic, are autoland operations permitted by Turkish Airlines and the Dutch authorities tasked with keeping their air transportation system safe? So, given the mechanical state (defective #1 RA) of this jet when it was flying the accident approach, if it was flying in the autoland mode, was this a legal operation?
The pilot in the right seat was “inexperienced in airline operations”, what does that mean? How much total time? How much jet time? How many hours of pilot in command instrument time? How many hours in aircraft with a MGTOW > 50,000 kg?
What was the experience level, same specific flight time experience levels as above, of the pilot in the observer’s seat?
If I were a plaintiff’s barrister I would be smelling lots of blood in the water.