Air France 447 Interim Report

The French BEA has issued an interim report on the loss of the Air France
A330 over the South Atlantic that includes a summary of the conclusions
to far:

- Parts were recovered from all over the aircraft, ranging from the nose
radome cover to parts of the spoilers, ailerons, cabin, and elevators.
- Aircraft probably impacted water intact.
- Flaps were retracted.
- An analysis of damage to the cabin crew seats that were recovered
(3/11 seats) indicated they were not occupied at impact.
- Life vests were still in their containers.
- O2 masks were not deployed, indicating no decompression above 14,000
ft.
- Injuries to passengers (spine compression and fractured pelvises) plus
damage to aircraft parts indicates a high rate of descent at impact.
- Attitude of aircraft at impact slightly nose up, with a small bank
angle and minimal side slip.

They intend making further attempts to recover the aircraft and FDRs
starting in the new year.

An English version of the interim report is available here (PDF):

http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2009/f-cp...90601e2.en.pdf

The report includes a detailed description of the maintenance messages
that were automatically sent by the aircraft, plus discussion of the
pitot tube problems seen on other aircraft.