French accident investigation agency BEA has published its final report on the Air France 447 accident that happened on 1 June 2009.
According to the report, the cause of the accident was a combination of the temporary loss of airspeed data because of pitot tube icing and the failure of the pilots to apply the drill that relates to uncertain airspeed readings.
"The excessive nature of the [pilot's] inputs can be explained by the startle effect and the emotional shock at the autopilot disconnection," the report states, adding that the problem was "amplified" by a lack of training for the delicate handling required for high-altitude flight.
Flightglobal's Operations & Safety Editor David Learmount looks at the AF447 investigatorsÕ recommendations to ensure an event like it does not happen again.
For more analysis from David Learmount, take a look at the Learmount blog.
Source: Flight International
