Now, something else than the "deep stall theory" should not be ruled out at this point.
Even if unpowered, such an airframe can glide very far (more than 120 NM from FL350) when it is able to trade off altitude vs distance. It would defintively not fall from the sky like that if it could remain wings level, with all its thrust or if it had enough altitude.
It would take a fair amount of structural damages or an incapacited crew to go down like that (like that?). More likely, before impact, she was left at low altitude without thrust and may have unexpectedly stalled at some point (hence no preparation for ditching).
There was already in the past some problems related with those engines (
CF6-80E1 in this case CF6-80E1A3) ice/water ingestion:
FROM : AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVICES TOULOUSE
TO : ALL A330 OPERATORS
OPERATORS INFORMATION TELEX - OPERATORS INFORMATION TELEX
AND
FLIGHT OPERATIONS TELEX - FLIGHT OPERATIONS TELEX
TO: ALL A330 OPERATORS
SUBJECT: ATA 72 - A330 DUAL ENGINE FLAME OUT
OUR REF: SE 999.0069/JS dated 09 JUNE 2006
CLASSIFICATION: INCIDENT - ADVICE (FLIGHT OPERATIONS)
REFERENCE
- OIT SE 999.0067/06/JS dated 02 JUNE 2006
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of OIT/FOT is to provide latest update and to provide operational recommendations on the dual engine flame out event reported through OIT ref. SE 999.0067/06/JS dated 02 JUNE 2006.
2. EVENT DESCRIPTION
On 1 June 2006 an A330-200 aircraft, equipped with General Electric (GE) CF6-80E1 engines, experienced a dual engine flame out during descent around flight level 200.
Both engines quickly recovered and a safe landing was performed.
3. INVESTIGATION STATUS
The investigation into this event is led by the Investigation Authorities with assistance from Airbus. The investigation is still in its early stages, however, DFDR preliminary analysis has shown that:
- During descent, while engines started to accelerate for aircraft altitude capture, both engines flamed out simultaneously.
- Both engines automatically relit after flame out, and recovered within approximately 45 seconds.
- Engine Anti Ice had been selected ON during the descent, and Wing Anti Ice had been selected ON shortly prior to the event.
- Aircraft systems behavior was normal including automatic RAT extension.
Boroscope inspections have been performed on both engines without significant findings.
Based on the above, the initial Airbus/GE view is that this event is similar to other power loss events at altitudes above 10 000 ft attributed to inclement weather as experienced on CF6-80 engines installed on various aircraft types.
The aircraft returned to service on 7 June 06.
4. OPERATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Waiting for final investigation results, in order to increase the fuel/air ratio in the engine so as to mitigate the possibility of experiencing an engine flame out, the following provisional procedure is recommended:
. If inclement weather/icing conditions are expected at any time during descent or if convective activity is identified by the weather radar in the vicinity of the aircraft flight path:
At top of descent:
- ENG ANTI ICE__ON
- WING ANTI ICE_..ON
- PACK FLOW___HI
Below 10000 feet :
Resume normal anti ice and pack flow operation according to weather conditions.
Note that the fuel consumption and the idle thrust will slightly increase when selecting ENG ANTI ICE_ON, WING ANTI ICE_ON, and PACK FLOW_HI.
Final operational recommendations will be implemented in the FCOM/QRH via OEB or TR.
5. FOLLOW-UP PLAN
An update will be provided by 16 June 06.