Originally posted by jcjeant ...
This "going to right" (despite the apparent correction to left by PF) will continue until plane contact water ..... (BEA graphic)
If not turbulences or weather induced .. what is at play there ?
Yes, this "roll to the right" has been noted earlier and the PF appears to have kept it corrected in conjuction with the NU inputs to the sidestick, i.e. Pitch (- [NU]), Bank (- [L]). The matter of fuel imbalance was addressed by
PJ2, and reference to the FCOM shows that the lateral transfer action is automatic. No ACARS messages have any association with it, and other than the BEA noting the actions of the PF following AP/ATHR disconnect, the last noted action was after the aircraft was established in the stall - "
The PF made an input on the sidestick to the left and nose-up stops, which lasted about 30 seconds". The context in which these left sidestick inputs have been noted by the BEA suggests that they were a dominate feature of control.
During the stalled descent, the airflow over the aircraft was abnormal and may have been affected by a vortex which developed a geostrophic clockwise rotation causing a pressure differential across the vertical stabilizer. On the other-hand there could have been a non-reported control defect, and if this happened I'm sure the BEA will report it in due course.