Appalling accident.
What happened? It would appear that in a high G manoeuvre, something happened which caused what looks from the videotape like a departure in roll to the left. Imagery of the flight immediately beforehand seems to show brown smoke trailing from the port engine. Certainly if there was a catastrophic failure of the port engine at high G and low IAS, a departure as evidenced would be highly likely. Post departure recovery action by the crew seems to have been effective initially, with the ac being flown at high G in an attempt to avoid hitting the ground but also with significant yaw - which could have been the result of the port engine being unable to develop sufficient thrust to allow the ac to accelerate sufficiently to avoid the accident whilst the starboard was at full thrust.
Condolences to all involved.
Last edited by BEagle; 27th Jul 2002 at 16:27.