Quote:
Originally Posted by greglepore
The descent rate is consistent with an emergency descent programmed into the autopilot.
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Yes, that was what ze German paper was speculating about. They thought there could have been a rapid cabin pressure loss and apparently the first thing to do is get O2 on the pilots, put plane into descent, and then communicate. Speculation is that they were able to perform at least step 2 but not step 3 before they were incapacitated. The other thing I read was that a cabin air pressure drop can usually be diagnosed by the O2 mask being deployed on the wreckage. Not so sure if that is easily visible on this powdered wreck.
So, what would cause sudden cabin air pressure drop?
On the life of an airframe, I read that they are practically good forever and that planes are usually retired for lower fuel efficiency, cost of remodeling vs. a new purchase.
G