These are two ACARS messages from F-GZCP on the night it disappeared:
ACARS mode: 2 Aircraft reg: F-GZCP [Airbus A332]
Message label: _ Block id: 0 Msg no: S72A
Flight id: AF0447 [GIG-CDG] [Air France]
----------------------------------------------------------[ 01/06/2009 00:53 ]-
ACARS mode: R Aircraft reg: F-GZCP [Airbus A332]
Message label: 2F Block id: 0 Msg no: M14A
Flight id: AF0444 [CDG-GIG] [Air France]
Message content:-
#0936/+47.31-001.30
----------------------------------------------------------[ 31/05/2009 11:36 ]-
(
www.acarsd.org) With ACARS messages being listened to routinely by enthusiasts, I'd be surprised the later 4 minute exchange would not have been picked up somewhere.
Am I correct in thinking that the ACARS system also allows for pilot input into the messages? Thus the crew could have been communicating through ACARS if all other radio communication was not received.
A message from the same a/c on May 11 for example reads: MAINTENA BJR.EN CABINE TOILET L54 FUITE DESSOUS LAVABO NIVEAU EVAC.+SIEGE 4K INOP ELEC.MERCI CDB CAMUS