Air France 447
05-30-2010, 03:01 PM
#261
New Hire
Joined APC: May 2010
Posts: 1
Theory
Just watched a documentary on this.
I'm not a pilot, but I do work in IT and have extensive knowledge of computer systems and theory.
A numbers of specifics in this case struck me - firstly the assumption via belly section recovered that the aircraft hit the sea flat but with hight vertical speed, secondly the data stream sent in which each system appeared to shut down.
Rather than focus on the pilot actions or how the plane lost control, I think it is important to focus on the data stream.
Testing a simulator with the conditions of each system failing is not an accurate analysis of the data stream.
The data stream showed that not every system was present to the computer system. That might be due to a system(s) having failed, but could just as likely be that the system which intercepts and actions the data from aircraft systems to the cockpit was not picking up any data - ie a data stream was simply terminated or interrupted.
For example, was would happen if the the system responsible for this data shut down, reset or restarted?
The pilots may well operate the controls perfectly, but if there is no data transmission, this would have no effect on the plane's flight.
The duration of the data stream, and the fact the plane hit the with nose slightly up and wings level but high vertical speed suggests to me that that one or more vital computer system was reset or restarted became operable at an altitude too low to transmit further data back to Air France, and too low for the pilots to regain control of the aircraft.
If this is the case, testing the duration and failure/reset of each specific system and systems in combination, it should be possible to exactly replicate the data stream sent back to air france.
I'm not a pilot, but I do work in IT and have extensive knowledge of computer systems and theory.
A numbers of specifics in this case struck me - firstly the assumption via belly section recovered that the aircraft hit the sea flat but with hight vertical speed, secondly the data stream sent in which each system appeared to shut down.
Rather than focus on the pilot actions or how the plane lost control, I think it is important to focus on the data stream.
Testing a simulator with the conditions of each system failing is not an accurate analysis of the data stream.
The data stream showed that not every system was present to the computer system. That might be due to a system(s) having failed, but could just as likely be that the system which intercepts and actions the data from aircraft systems to the cockpit was not picking up any data - ie a data stream was simply terminated or interrupted.
For example, was would happen if the the system responsible for this data shut down, reset or restarted?
The pilots may well operate the controls perfectly, but if there is no data transmission, this would have no effect on the plane's flight.
The duration of the data stream, and the fact the plane hit the with nose slightly up and wings level but high vertical speed suggests to me that that one or more vital computer system was reset or restarted became operable at an altitude too low to transmit further data back to Air France, and too low for the pilots to regain control of the aircraft.
If this is the case, testing the duration and failure/reset of each specific system and systems in combination, it should be possible to exactly replicate the data stream sent back to air france.
05-30-2010, 07:30 PM
#262
Kerbal Rocket Surgeon
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DTW 717A
Posts: 1,099
Just watched a documentary on this.
I'm not a pilot, but I do work in IT and have extensive knowledge of computer systems and theory.
A numbers of specifics in this case struck me - firstly the assumption via belly section recovered that the aircraft hit the sea flat but with hight vertical speed, secondly the data stream sent in which each system appeared to shut down.
Rather than focus on the pilot actions or how the plane lost control, I think it is important to focus on the data stream.
Testing a simulator with the conditions of each system failing is not an accurate analysis of the data stream.
The data stream showed that not every system was present to the computer system. That might be due to a system(s) having failed, but could just as likely be that the system which intercepts and actions the data from aircraft systems to the cockpit was not picking up any data - ie a data stream was simply terminated or interrupted.
For example, was would happen if the the system responsible for this data shut down, reset or restarted?
The pilots may well operate the controls perfectly, but if there is no data transmission, this would have no effect on the plane's flight.
The duration of the data stream, and the fact the plane hit the with nose slightly up and wings level but high vertical speed suggests to me that that one or more vital computer system was reset or restarted became operable at an altitude too low to transmit further data back to Air France, and too low for the pilots to regain control of the aircraft.
If this is the case, testing the duration and failure/reset of each specific system and systems in combination, it should be possible to exactly replicate the data stream sent back to air france.
I'm not a pilot, but I do work in IT and have extensive knowledge of computer systems and theory.
A numbers of specifics in this case struck me - firstly the assumption via belly section recovered that the aircraft hit the sea flat but with hight vertical speed, secondly the data stream sent in which each system appeared to shut down.
Rather than focus on the pilot actions or how the plane lost control, I think it is important to focus on the data stream.
Testing a simulator with the conditions of each system failing is not an accurate analysis of the data stream.
The data stream showed that not every system was present to the computer system. That might be due to a system(s) having failed, but could just as likely be that the system which intercepts and actions the data from aircraft systems to the cockpit was not picking up any data - ie a data stream was simply terminated or interrupted.
For example, was would happen if the the system responsible for this data shut down, reset or restarted?
The pilots may well operate the controls perfectly, but if there is no data transmission, this would have no effect on the plane's flight.
The duration of the data stream, and the fact the plane hit the with nose slightly up and wings level but high vertical speed suggests to me that that one or more vital computer system was reset or restarted became operable at an altitude too low to transmit further data back to Air France, and too low for the pilots to regain control of the aircraft.
If this is the case, testing the duration and failure/reset of each specific system and systems in combination, it should be possible to exactly replicate the data stream sent back to air france.
06-01-2010, 10:57 PM
#263
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: B777/CA retired
Posts: 1,502
We were talking about this crash when I went into the sime a few weeks ago and we were running through the unreliable airspeed checklist.. One explanation for the faults that were transmitted would be if the wings were off due to overstress from the faulty airspeed indicators and subsequent turbulence and/or high speed upset. While the fusalage would be falling some data would still be sent.
The boxes will tell the ful story.
The boxes will tell the ful story.
04-03-2011, 04:25 PM
#264
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: A320 FO
Posts: 79
04-03-2011, 06:02 PM
#265
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,067
There are many who accuse Airbus and Air France of wanting to "cover up" this accident. Hopefully the fact that both companies have been funding the search and that the search has now been at least partially successful will put to bed these silly conspiracy theories.
04-03-2011, 07:36 PM
#266
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Trying not to crash
Posts: 1,260
OI'm no conspiracy theorist, but I recall some shady french/air france processes following the A320 airshow accident. That, plus the controversy around the concorde and A300 accidents mean that some concern may be warranted.
04-04-2011, 05:05 PM
#267
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Position: 777 Left
Posts: 347
These are some scary looking images from the crash site. 
PICTURES: First images of Air France A330 crash site
PICTURES: First images of Air France A330 crash site
04-05-2011, 01:54 PM
#268
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: Cessna 152
Posts: 154
I'm glad for the families of the victims that at least the site was found. I cannot imagine how difficult it has been for them to not even know where the plane is. I hope for them that more information is found.
05-01-2011, 11:40 AM
#269
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: 747
Posts: 731
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