aardvark2zz
I find it frustrating that pilots reading this report will believe that it is almost impossible to land a plane with smoke when in fact a precautionary descent while simultaneously diagnosing the problem could of been done.
As a generic statement you have a valid concern. However in this incident the investigation determined that the aircraft could not have been landed safely in the time available.
# From any point along the Swissair Flight 111 flight path after the initial odour in the cockpit, the time required to complete an approach and landing to the Halifax International Airport would have exceeded the time available before the fire-related conditions in the aircraft cockpit would have precluded a safe landing.
This shouldn't stop pilots from trying to land without undue delay in similar incidents though. The memories of SR111 will ensure that no one forgets what could happen.