If you listen to the passenger account in post 245, he describes a very late attempt by the flight crew to get additional thrust- it doesnt sound like an engine problem- more a high rate of descent or undershoot/ non stabilised visual approach. I'd also be very interested in hearing crew experienced in this San Francisco approach - posts above are commenting on illusions etc. This ATSB finding will be multifactorial for sure and will likely include a mix of preparation, training, possible recency issues with hand flown approaches, lack of usual vertical navigation cues, fatigue, and possible post crash issues relating timeliness and coordination are already emerging. I suspect the aircraft itself will not have been a substantial contributing factor. The relief is the number of survivors but this figure is yet to emerge.
Last edited by Mimpe; 7th Jul 2013 at 03:02.