Originally Posted by
D Bru
Never mind the FR24 report that A/C maintained heading and altitude until 02:30, which is likely to be based on extrapolation.
Regards
The FR24 raw data gives every appearance of being actual ADSB messages from the aircraft, the projected data (which is not included in the raw data, but is used in the online display of aircraft tracks) is flagged as such. It is also completely consistent in time with the statements from Greek ATC. It would be amazing if the final facts don't show the aircraft in straight and level flight until 0:29:33 +- 2 seconds. What then happened will probably only be deduced from analysis of the radar data and wreckage.
The ACARS message are interesting, but the only thing that seems to fit is a 'fire' that then caused a sudden and catastrophic loss of power (so no more data) and then loss of control/integrity (resulting in the rapid descent - probably closer to a fall).
The descent timing based on the available statements appears to be close to what one would expect from a free fall, although the lack of clarity on the radar time makes this only a rough calculation.
Ps
The HCAA statement on the loss of 'radar signal' is ambiguous in that it probably meant the SSR return, but might have meant the primary return due to the descent going below the radar horizon. The various claims of turns and specific levels the aircraft descended through imply A - the SSR/ADSB data was being sent, B - there was some height finding radar (normally military) data, C - it is just noise that is not actually fact,
I think C is most probable, but that there is a time when the primary target disappeared, which is later than 00;29;40, but not clear if it is 20 seconds 1 minute or 3 minutes after this.