AF 447 report out

[flipster]

WRT AF447, no-one has explained the basic conundrum of accident investigation:

That people do things that they think are correct at the time - even those actions that sound/look like madness to us sitting at our desks post mortem.

So why did the 2 pilots do what they did - why did they think that a rapid climb was a correct action given their proximity to 'coffin corner'?
Guess we will never know but considered conjecture points to the fact that they didn't know (or didn't believe) they were stalled, certainly they were confused, disorientated, possibly suffering from information-overload and had reluctance to believe their instruments - all started by being IMC in a TS cell then losing speed indications, the AP disconnecting and the stall warnings being intermittment. Will have to read full report but no mention thus far about fatigue or circadian hi/lows - it was dark, so they would have been less than fully aroused.

Lessons?

Know how to work your radar properly;
Don't fly into TS cells;
In the ITCZ - don't go to sleep and carry extra fuel;
Replace faulty air data systems asap;
Design better stall-warning systems;
If speed indications lost, fly power-pitch combinations that will avoid the stall - get rid of FD bars;
If ever you lose control, remember "Controls centrally forward to unload and unstall, then roll wings level, then pitch to straight and level attitude (something sensible will have to be done with the power depending on ac type) - don't re-enter stall (get control of your heart rate) - check you are above safe altitude and check for damage/problems!".
(This may have to be done on the standby ISIS/HSI when you least expect it and are feeling tired - think about that when you are in the cruise next!)
Expect the unexpected;
Better training and encourage airmanship to reinforce all above.

That's just for starters.