Originally Posted by nitpicker330
HPSOVL:-- so how do you explain a 777 qualified crew member current on type and a member of the crew NOT noticing their unusual attitude and low IAS?? Not to mention not noticing the thrust levers were closed...
He had nothing else to do in the jump seat other than monitor what the two buffoons were doing 2 feet in front of him.
Either he's stupid or HE DIDN'T SPEAK UP.
How about
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1.) They were unduly focused on the glideslope/approach.
2.) They were overly distracted by the training of the PF since this was his first landing on the 777 and they wanted him to be successful.
3.) As someone else has pointed out elsewhere in the thread, the PF may have had a case of "perfectlanding-itis" since it was his first on type and he wanted to impress his trainers.
4.) The PF may have been apprehensive/less confident since this was his first landing on type at this airport causing him more stress than usual. Also see # 3.
5.) PM may have been distracted by other things such as checklists, communication and/or the other gazillion things pilots have to worry about during approach.
6.) Landing over water may have created an illusion where they didn't notice their speed/altitude until too late.
7.) The approach was so close, that it appeared to be almost do-able until the very last seconds.
8.) THEY ALL ASSUMED THE AUTO-THROTTLE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THEIR SPEED.
9.) They were lulled into a false sense of security by clear weather; which may have also made them more hesitant to go-around, since "any pilot can land in these conditions!"
10.) THEY ALL ASSUMED THE AUTO-THROTTLE WOULD MAINTAIN SPEED
11.) It was at end of a long-haul flight.
The FO in the backseat DID notice they were too slow and called out "Speed!" 7 seconds before impact.
It took the Training Captain a precious 5 seconds to realize the auto-throttles weren't maintaining speed and he called go-around 2 seconds before crash.
Had he acted immediately to go-around, when FO called the speed issue, perhaps he could've saved it.
They did what they were suppost to do, just 10 seconds too late.
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Also this isn't the first time a training captain or safety pilot get distracted by their duties as trainers and it causes an accident. Although it's designed to provide an extra layer of safety, it has probably been a factor in some accidents! - Like the over-reliance on automation, it lulls you into a false since of security by thinking someone else is monitoring/taking care of things.
Same thing with the weather. Remember that statistically, most mid-air collisions occur in sunny, VFR weather! Things catch you when you least expect!
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To the infallible 'Super-Pilots' slagging these guys, THIS COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN YOU!
How would you feel if that one mistake or oversight - out of the countless you have made or have seen made - resulted in the deaths of two of your passengers?
I think these guys deserve our complete sympathy and support. It's a terrible tragedy all around.