Tango Niner

I listened to the transcript myself and it sounds more like "Lost number four engine". He made a couple of calls after that on downwind, too. Here's the audio:

My FO snapped this in Gatwick this morning. There are a dozen or more Thomas Cook tails parked like this. I’m presuming that the tractors are strategically parked so as to prevent creditors from seizing the aircraft?... T9

Very sharp Moon! Does the blister canopy on the top really afford a better view than from the flight deck? The two vantage points look pretty close together.

That's exactly me - WJ flight crew with small children - and yes, I'm very interested! This almost feels like a WJ April Fool's post but if it's true AND they can pull it off, I think they'll have something of a hit on their hands.

You haven't felt one of my crunchers. Just call me Tango "Wrong Hands" Niner...

The cutout switches have been on every 737 since the first -100 took to the air in 1967. The location of the switches hasn't moved either.

Boeing introduces 737 Max software overhaul https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/27/economy/boeing-software-fix-737-max/index.html

In Test of Boeing Jet, Pilots Had 40 Seconds to Fix Error https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/business/boeing-simulation-error.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage

My point was the part about disabling it. As in, knowing, if needed, to hit the stab trim cutout switches- which have been present on the 737 since its mid-60’s inception.

From Malcolm’s post above. 1) Boeing needs to fix this, but ALSO: 2) Pilots need better training on the aircraft. The cutout switches have been present on every B737 since the -100. IMHO T9

“Though the pitch system in the MAX is somewhat new, the pilot actions after a failure are exactly the same as would be for a runaway trim in any 737 built since the 1960s. As pilots we really don’t need to know why the trim is running away, but we must know, and practice, how to disable it.” This paragraph from Maclellan sums it up perfectly IMHO. T9

From the latest NTSB communication: "... “crew communications consistent with a loss control of the aircraft” began 18s prior to the end of the cockpit voice recording..." So I'm thinking not a pilot suicide scenario. Also, it would seem a rather odd time to "do the deed", (not that there is any "normal" time to do such a thing); that is, to pull a stunt like that after almost fully completing the flight and while maneuvering in the terminal area...? T9

Evening Don, I'll admit it - I know absolutely nothing about freight flying. So my proposed answer as written above might be a bit naïve. But this stuff happens - remember that 747 pitch-up on takeoff out of Afghanistan in 2013? The only other scenario that fits (at least in my brain) is some kind of mechanical failure involving the stabilizer / elevator. T9

The CVR will certainly help provide some answers. Perhaps the moderate turbulence (as reported in the same area by a different aircraft) was enough to dislodge an improperly secured load. Totally spitballing here, but it's certainly a plausible explanation. Holes lining up on the slices of swiss cheese...

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/buenos-dias-barcelona-699012601.html