If AF447 was a 767....
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: United States
If AF447 was a 767....
It generally takes several cumulative errors to bring down an airliner. In the case of AF447, based on what we currently hypothesize, it flew through a severe thunder storm, encountered severe icing over sea at night, was a computer-controlled aircraft, the pilots were unable to recognize what was happening and respond appropriately, and the plane made the mother-of-all-bellyflops. My question, (as a non-pilot) is this: if this flight was a 767 rather than an A330, would that be enough of a difference to prevent this particular crash. Would a 767 fail differently given the same situation? Did the various flight laws peculiar to fbw and Airbus present enough of a challenge to tip the odds against the 228 souls on-board. Severe icing can down anything currently flying, but it took more than just that to bring down AF447. Any informed opinions on what AF447's outcome would be if a 767 left Rio that evening and not an A330?
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Front right seat
I suspect this incident had more to do with poor training rather than aircraft systems. I have flown both Boeing and Airbus and I have the same level of confidence in both when dealing with unreliable airspeed and unusual attitudes.
So no, I don't think a 767 would have been different. Have a look at the Peruvian (I think) 757 accident a number of years ago as an example.
So no, I don't think a 767 would have been different. Have a look at the Peruvian (I think) 757 accident a number of years ago as an example.
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: UK
And the Birgenair 757 accident.
The AF A330 accident has altered the B-A score to 2-1 (from 2-0) for Airspeed / Mode / Stall / Overspeed confusion leading to total loss
The AF A330 accident has altered the B-A score to 2-1 (from 2-0) for Airspeed / Mode / Stall / Overspeed confusion leading to total loss
Fleet Manager
Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: various places .....
Certification doesn't give guarantees, rather the process attests demonstrated compliance with a defined set of Standards.
That the very great majority of flights routinely go from A to B indicates that the Standards generally get it right - most of the time.
It follows that unusual circumstances sufficiently outside the certification and training envelopes may present ANY aircraft/crew with a situation which is beyond a reasonable probability of recovery.
Given that there will probably be some folk reading here who have lost family members in the AF mishap, it probably isn't helpful to pursue this line of discussion at the moment ?
That the very great majority of flights routinely go from A to B indicates that the Standards generally get it right - most of the time.
It follows that unusual circumstances sufficiently outside the certification and training envelopes may present ANY aircraft/crew with a situation which is beyond a reasonable probability of recovery.
Given that there will probably be some folk reading here who have lost family members in the AF mishap, it probably isn't helpful to pursue this line of discussion at the moment ?
