How does this:
"A command tower recording shows the tower told the pilot to turn to avoid the storm, but the plane went in the opposite direction," he said.
"We do not know what happened or whether it was beyond the pilot's control."
square with this?
The pilot in command encountered engine problems, perhaps a flame out, during takeoff, and requested permission to abort the flight and return to Beirut. He was given
clearance to do so.
SoS