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Dear Readers,
We make a special effort here to record the facts as we receive them. At times, there may be error but we do try to use our best judgement at the time of posting, and will be glad to amend any details which are proved incorrect. Furthermore, even though we do not here discuss the human cost, we realize that losing anyone in an air accident is insurmountable tragedy to individuals, families and communities. We do extend our heartfelt sympathy to those whose loss we record here. "...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for..." us all.
Meditation XVII - (with apologies to) John Donne


2008/02/03

Brazil jet thrust reverser 'off'


This photograph was produced by Agência Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency.Their website states: "O conteúdo deste site é publicado sob a licença Creative Commons Atribuição 2.5 Brasil"(This photo is published under the Creative Commons License Attribution 2.5 Brazil)

The thrust reverser had been deactivated during maintenance checks, the airline confessed.

The reverser is used to help jets slow down on landing.

Tam Airlines insisted the deactivation was in accordance with proper procedures. However, nearly 200 people--passengers and crew--are dead.

Yet this was in accordance with proper procedures?

The airbus started to land at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport, and either aborted the landing or failed to slow down when the deactivated thrust reverser failed. The plane crossed the street, hit buildings and exploded.

Tam Airlines said the right thrust reverser was "deactivated" at the time of the accident. To quote them specifically:
"in conditions stipulated by the maintenance of the manufacturer Airbus and approved by [Brazil's] National Civil Aviation Agency".

Brazil's Globo TV televised that a problem with the right thrust reverser had emerged four days prior to the crash.

The Airbus's manual stipulates that ten days can lapse after a problem is first detected in an inspection and the plane can continue to operate in the meantime.


sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk
http://www.aviation.com/ap_070721_thrustreverser.html

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