You have a strange understanding of TCAS. Whilst I have no intention of speculating as to the cause of an accident, you should appreciate that TCAS doesn't "Take over". It is a visual and audio warning system. Its purpose is to warn the Pilots that a conflict situation is arising, and then to provide an escape solution in the vertical plane.
ATC is normally the service that prevents conflicts arising. They have the ability to route aircraft directionally in the lateral and vertical planes. Pilots have eyes and ears and are ultimately the ones who will prevent a collision. If things have deteriorated to the point that TCAS has issued a resolution, then that really must be followed.
"The tools take over" ? Not usually a good idea to let this happen. Most of us have had the situation of cruising at FL350 when the GPWS suddenly has a little "brainstorm" and decides to shout "Terrain PULL UP !" (or something similar). Letting the tool (autopilot ?) "take over" would not be a bright thing to do. These systems are warning systems. They are for Pilot interaction. They cannot think or reason. They are as fallible as the people who made them. They are prone to any number of failures. Any computer is a glorified abacus.
Humans have the ability for rational thought and sometimes for irrational thought. In both cases that may lead to creative ideas. In the world we live in now that is the best we can expect. It is also the safest thing to have in the front end of an airplane.
Last edited by Bealzebub; 15th Jul 2002 at 07:57.