As an industry professional I am not surprised at the verdict over the crash of EgyptAir in 1999 (Flight International 26 March-1 April)
Two official reports and many ways to "peel the orange".
Do you believe the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) which, it seems, always holds on to all the information until the story gets in the newspapers on the 10th page?
Or do you get suspicious of the USA trying to gloss over the fact that there could actually be a problem with the elevator power control actuator (PCA)?
Or do you believe the Egyptian report that cites the failure of the elevator PCAs, given that there would be an almost unbearable amount of embarassment should they have to admit that the relief pilot did what the USA claims he did?
Could it be that this has anything to do with the fact that Egypt is maximising its tourist advertisements worldwide on CNN?
Whatever it is - and I am sure that the truth has been known for some time now - I say to both parties: shame on you both. Regardless of what was at fault (either a faulty elevator PCA or a relief pilot at the end of the rope of life) the real victims are the innocent passengers and crew and the families they left behind. In Canada, the information release gained the 10th page of the Globe & Mail.
For the Egyptians, here is a lesson once again in allowing pride and fear to rule the day.
The USA led the investigation and will close it. Whatever the real truth is, I hope that nobody will forget the tragic loss of life. Let us hope that the power to manipulate the mob with information will never more be used to reaffirm national pride or to protect a national product.
May peace be with those that have suffered from this tragedy, and may those who are in the know suffer a guilty conscience.
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Source: Flight International
