In addition, the plane was heavy because it was carrying a lot of fuel for the long flight to Paris (11 hours' flight time means the aircraft was carrying over 70 tons of fuel). It may not have been able to climb much higher than 35,000 feet at that point.
What the pilots can do is slow down to what is called the Maximum Turbulence Penetration Speed, which is the speed at which even the heaviest of turbulence will not overstress the aircraft, then use weather radar to see where the worst parts of the line of thunderstorms are and pick their way around them. Even then, the effects of thunderstorms--strong winds, turbulence, lightning, hailstorms--can be felt as far as 15 to 20 miles from the core of the CB.
Reports released by the airline speak of messages from the aircraft's automated reporting system detailing electrical failures that affected the autopilot, some flight control computers and instrument displays. There is a very high level of redundancy built into these aircraft and for the crew to lose everything requires no less than massive failures happening simultaneously. However, flight crews are trained to address the failures and restore the systems, or at least reconfigure them so the flight can continue safely.
It's very difficult to bring down an aircraft like the A330. The aircraft type has been in service for over 15 years (PAL has had 8 of these planes in its fleet since 1997) and its safety record has been exemplary. This is the first time an A330 has ever been lost in passenger service. It would be interesting to read the final report on this accident but that won't be for at least two years.
wa pa jud na kit an nga body ani? kalooy baya ani oi...
yup kalooy jud......wla pa jud mga remains na nkita according to d news......
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