ethiopian airlines aircraft down near Beirut
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Human Error behind Ethiopian Plane Crash: Preliminary Report
A preliminary report said "human error" was the cause of the deadly Ethiopian Airlines plane crash into the Mediterranean Sea last month and that the last words the pilot said to his co-pilot: "We're finished … God have mercy on us."
Flight 409 bound for Addis Ababa crashed into sea off the coast of Naameh minutes after takeoff from Beirut airport early in the morning of Jan. 25, killing all 90 people on board.
Pending the outcome of the official report, which is to be announced by the Lebanese government sometime next week, the daily As-Safir on Friday uncovered outlines of the preliminary report.
As-Safir said the investigation team probing the plane crash incident retuned to Beirut from Paris on Thursday and handed over the report to Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The plane's two black boxes -- data flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder – were separately retrieved among the wreckage and flown to France for analysis by BEA, a French agency that specializes in assisting with technical investigations of air crashes.
As-Safir quoted a reliable source at France's Aviation Accidents Investigation bureau as saying that the cockpit voice recorder has revealed that the last words the pilot said were: "We're finished … God have mercy on us."
The pilot was speaking in Amharic, a Semitic language spoken in North Central Ethiopia.
Audio recordings revealed that the pilot asked the co-pilot to follow instructions by Beirut airport control tower, only to find out that his assistance either did not heed to the orders or did the opposite.
This prompted the pilot to take a move which made him gradually lose control of the plane, the voice recorder showed.
The report said the jet remained intact until it hit water.
Cabinet, furthermore, did not take any decision to close the file on the plane crash incident pending an official report from the Lebanese Army about the search for remains of the remaining victims.
Beirut, 19 Feb 10, 07:34
Source
A preliminary report said "human error" was the cause of the deadly Ethiopian Airlines plane crash into the Mediterranean Sea last month and that the last words the pilot said to his co-pilot: "We're finished … God have mercy on us."
Flight 409 bound for Addis Ababa crashed into sea off the coast of Naameh minutes after takeoff from Beirut airport early in the morning of Jan. 25, killing all 90 people on board.
Pending the outcome of the official report, which is to be announced by the Lebanese government sometime next week, the daily As-Safir on Friday uncovered outlines of the preliminary report.
As-Safir said the investigation team probing the plane crash incident retuned to Beirut from Paris on Thursday and handed over the report to Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The plane's two black boxes -- data flight recorder and cockpit voice recorder – were separately retrieved among the wreckage and flown to France for analysis by BEA, a French agency that specializes in assisting with technical investigations of air crashes.
As-Safir quoted a reliable source at France's Aviation Accidents Investigation bureau as saying that the cockpit voice recorder has revealed that the last words the pilot said were: "We're finished … God have mercy on us."
The pilot was speaking in Amharic, a Semitic language spoken in North Central Ethiopia.
Audio recordings revealed that the pilot asked the co-pilot to follow instructions by Beirut airport control tower, only to find out that his assistance either did not heed to the orders or did the opposite.
This prompted the pilot to take a move which made him gradually lose control of the plane, the voice recorder showed.
The report said the jet remained intact until it hit water.
Cabinet, furthermore, did not take any decision to close the file on the plane crash incident pending an official report from the Lebanese Army about the search for remains of the remaining victims.
Beirut, 19 Feb 10, 07:34
Source
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Citing the same source another website
The plane took off on January 25 at 2:37 a.m. and hit the water at 2:40 a.m., which means that the flight lasted four minutes only. The plane suddenly rose to approximately 2,750 meters before it plunged into the sea. The descent took around 40 seconds.
The pilot gave an order to the co-pilot after the former communicated with the air-traffic controllers at Beirut’s International Rafik Hariri Airport. Data analysis revealed that the co-pilot did not carry out the order or undertook an opposite action. Believing that the co-pilot complied with the instructions, the pilot consequently lost control of the plane. Investigators concluded that human error was the main cause of the crash.
The pilot gave an order to the co-pilot after the former communicated with the air-traffic controllers at Beirut’s International Rafik Hariri Airport. Data analysis revealed that the co-pilot did not carry out the order or undertook an opposite action. Believing that the co-pilot complied with the instructions, the pilot consequently lost control of the plane. Investigators concluded that human error was the main cause of the crash.
Edit: Please show mercy to the poor journalists, they have no idea of cockpit procedures. I think the main point here is: No bomb, no technical (engine) failure etc.
The pilot gave an order to the co-pilot after the former communicated with the air-traffic controllers at Beirut’s International Rafik Hariri Airport. Data analysis revealed that the co-pilot did not carry out the order or undertook an opposite action. Believing that the co-pilot complied with the instructions, the pilot consequently lost control of the plane.
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.......what ' order' or 'action' they might be talking about or how that could lead to the other pilot losing control
ww
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All bodies of the victims from ET-409 accident have now been recovered
ET Flight 409 Accident Update 12 - 23 February, 2010
12:30 PM - Local Time
All bodies of the victims from ET-409 accident have now been recovered and identified. Arrangement is being made to repatriate bodies of the Ethiopian and other nationals to their respective countries.
The investigation team is also continuing its task to compile a preliminary fact finding report.
However, as it stands today, there are vital information and facts missing to complete the investigation. The investigation team needs to collect these critically important information and facts to prepare the preliminary fact finding report and proceed to the analysis stage. Meanwhile, any indication of cause of the accident will remain speculative, incorrect and misleading.
Ethiopian will continue to cooperate with the investigation team to find the true cause of the accident.
Source: Ethiopian Airlines
12:30 PM - Local Time
All bodies of the victims from ET-409 accident have now been recovered and identified. Arrangement is being made to repatriate bodies of the Ethiopian and other nationals to their respective countries.
The investigation team is also continuing its task to compile a preliminary fact finding report.
However, as it stands today, there are vital information and facts missing to complete the investigation. The investigation team needs to collect these critically important information and facts to prepare the preliminary fact finding report and proceed to the analysis stage. Meanwhile, any indication of cause of the accident will remain speculative, incorrect and misleading.
Ethiopian will continue to cooperate with the investigation team to find the true cause of the accident.
Source: Ethiopian Airlines
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A bit of a different view of things between Ethiopian and Berut:
ET409: Ethiopian Airlines defends pilot, blames sabotage
February 23, 2010 ⋅ News Brief
A dispute raged between Ethiopian Airlines and Beirut over the reasons behind last month’s plane crash that killed all 90 people on board. The Boeing 737-800 bound for Addis Ababa crashed minutes after takeoff from Beirut airport in stormy weather on January 25.
“Reports that a pilot error was the cause of the disaster are just a guess,” said Ethiopian Airlines’ executive director.
“Investigations may take a while before the cause of the crash is determined,” he added.
He backed a statement made by Ethiopian Airlines earlier this month in which it did not rule out that “sabotage” may have caused the crash.
Middle East Airlines Chairman of the Board of Directors Mohammed Hout, meanwhile, said a “pilot error” was behind the crash.
“According to reliable information made available (about the disaster), an error by the pilot of the ill-fated Ethiopian plane was the reason that led to the fall and crash,” Hout said in remarks published Tuesday.
State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza is expected to receive a detailed account by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Lebanese commando divers pursued efforts at retrieving the bodies of the passengers who were aboard the ill-fated Ethiopian airplane. The list of the 90 travelers who are presumed to be dead has shrunk to only three believed to be still missing. (Naharnet)
ET409: Ethiopian Airlines defends pilot, blames sabotage
February 23, 2010 ⋅ News Brief
A dispute raged between Ethiopian Airlines and Beirut over the reasons behind last month’s plane crash that killed all 90 people on board. The Boeing 737-800 bound for Addis Ababa crashed minutes after takeoff from Beirut airport in stormy weather on January 25.
“Reports that a pilot error was the cause of the disaster are just a guess,” said Ethiopian Airlines’ executive director.
“Investigations may take a while before the cause of the crash is determined,” he added.
He backed a statement made by Ethiopian Airlines earlier this month in which it did not rule out that “sabotage” may have caused the crash.
Middle East Airlines Chairman of the Board of Directors Mohammed Hout, meanwhile, said a “pilot error” was behind the crash.
“According to reliable information made available (about the disaster), an error by the pilot of the ill-fated Ethiopian plane was the reason that led to the fall and crash,” Hout said in remarks published Tuesday.
State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza is expected to receive a detailed account by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Lebanese commando divers pursued efforts at retrieving the bodies of the passengers who were aboard the ill-fated Ethiopian airplane. The list of the 90 travelers who are presumed to be dead has shrunk to only three believed to be still missing. (Naharnet)
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Voice of America: Ethiopian Air Chief Says Reports on January Crash 'Misleading'
"Dispute raging", as above mentionned. ET-Boss Girma Wake has a point, I must say... when pointing out that politicians got no clues. 
Ethiopian Air Chief Says Reports on January Crash 'Misleading' | Africa | English
Ethiopian Air Chief Says Reports on January Crash 'Misleading' | Africa | English
That last person to look for clarity and an explanation is a politician.
So I always look at the source behind a news report on atechnical subject before commiting it to memory
So I always look at the source behind a news report on atechnical subject before commiting it to memory
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All bodies of the victims from ET-409 accident have now been recovered and identified.
ww
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Is one to now assume that the majority of the airplane has now been located? Unless I missed something, I thought the search for it was still ongoing, and that in fact, some areas were "off limits" in the search area.
ww
ww
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It may look for something that broke off.
Synopsis:
ATC commands heading west
F/O uses rudder extensively (AA A300 like)
stabilizer breaks off
Cpt takes over and tries to recover
Gives up, there fore final comments
Just wild speculation
Synopsis:
ATC commands heading west
F/O uses rudder extensively (AA A300 like)
stabilizer breaks off
Cpt takes over and tries to recover
Gives up, there fore final comments
Just wild speculation
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American lawyers begin Ethiopian Airlines lawsuit
The Daily Star - Politics - American lawyers begin Ethiopian Airlines lawsuit
The Libanese Daily Star's report tries to clarify the bodies and ongoing search issues:
The Libanese Daily Star's report tries to clarify the bodies and ongoing search issues:
Security sources told The Daily Star on Thursday that criminal laboratories had identified all 90 passengers, whose information would be sent to Prosecutor General Saeed Mirza, in order to administer relevant death certificates.
However, the Central News Agency (CNA) reported that Lebanese naval commandoes were continuing the search for bodies Thursday, scanning 22 targets located by the retrieval vessel Ocean Explorer.
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The link that ettore has posted above describes a lawsuit that will be filed against Boeing on Monday and gives a little more insight into the current status. The two statements which ettore has quoted appear to be contradictory, but they may not be. It is possible that "all 90 SOB's have been identified by DNA" and "divers are still working to recover human remains located by Odyssey Explorer" are both true due to the fact that earlier reports indicated that bodies were found dismembered.
Odyssey Explorer remains tied up at Beirut harbor. Also, Ocean Alert, which has been working elsewhere in the Med has recently returned and is tied up there as well. It appears that all debris that they located are in depths that are accessible to divers.
Also there is this report, "Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed ministers that he would brief the families of the victims of the Ethiopian plane crash on the investigative committee’s preliminary report on the incident, Information Minister Tarek Mitri said following the Wednesday meeting of the cabinet. Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi proposed for ministers relevant to the investigation to prepare a detailed proposal involving financial rewards to employees who took part in rescue operations of the ill-fated Ethiopian plane.
One month after the deadly Ethiopian plane crash, the Lebanese government still awaits completion of the Technical Committee’s report as Ethiopian Airlines announced it will obtain Thursday the first part of the report that will reveal the truth behind the disaster."
Odyssey Explorer remains tied up at Beirut harbor. Also, Ocean Alert, which has been working elsewhere in the Med has recently returned and is tied up there as well. It appears that all debris that they located are in depths that are accessible to divers.
Also there is this report, "Prime Minister Saad Hariri informed ministers that he would brief the families of the victims of the Ethiopian plane crash on the investigative committee’s preliminary report on the incident, Information Minister Tarek Mitri said following the Wednesday meeting of the cabinet. Public Works and Transportation Minister Ghazi Aridi proposed for ministers relevant to the investigation to prepare a detailed proposal involving financial rewards to employees who took part in rescue operations of the ill-fated Ethiopian plane.
One month after the deadly Ethiopian plane crash, the Lebanese government still awaits completion of the Technical Committee’s report as Ethiopian Airlines announced it will obtain Thursday the first part of the report that will reveal the truth behind the disaster."
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I just checked on Odyssey Explorer. It is now west of the airport and about 4.5 miles north of the previous search area. Clearly it is doing something that is a continuing search activity. Let's check on them periodically.
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It may look for something that broke off.
Synopsis:
ATC commands heading west
F/O uses rudder extensively (AA A300 like)
stabilizer breaks off
Cpt takes over and tries to recover
Gives up, there fore final comments
Just wild speculation
Synopsis:
ATC commands heading west
F/O uses rudder extensively (AA A300 like)
stabilizer breaks off
Cpt takes over and tries to recover
Gives up, there fore final comments
Just wild speculation
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The (non government) Ethiopian Sunday paper Capital had a damniing article yesterday. A summary can be found here: Lebanese officials hiding evidence from ET-409 probe
The full article had some claims that the Lebanese know that sabotage took place including a claim that the Lebanese health minister accidentally said durig a press conference "The plane exploded during flight and the cabin, as well as the bodies of those on board, were dispersed in the sea, in diffferent locations".
They make a number of other claims including one that the CVR was "missing the chip that carried the actual data." Lebanese authorities said that "When the chip was said to be retrieved later, some of it was damaged. ... some parts of the chip are damaged and there is no finding out what was said between the pilots and control tower in minutes found in the part now found scraped off".
I cannot imagine what they meant to say but this sounds very far fetched. Lots of other claims - I will try to scan and post the whole article later today and also look in other papers for coroborating information.
Andrew
The full article had some claims that the Lebanese know that sabotage took place including a claim that the Lebanese health minister accidentally said durig a press conference "The plane exploded during flight and the cabin, as well as the bodies of those on board, were dispersed in the sea, in diffferent locations".
They make a number of other claims including one that the CVR was "missing the chip that carried the actual data." Lebanese authorities said that "When the chip was said to be retrieved later, some of it was damaged. ... some parts of the chip are damaged and there is no finding out what was said between the pilots and control tower in minutes found in the part now found scraped off".
I cannot imagine what they meant to say but this sounds very far fetched. Lots of other claims - I will try to scan and post the whole article later today and also look in other papers for coroborating information.
Andrew
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there is no finding out what was said between the pilots and control tower in minutes found in the part now found scraped off
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I guess any reliable information will have to come from the interim report. All in all, apart from its dumb health minister, the Lebanon side seems to act more properly to me.
