In all likelihood it was a complex series of events leading to the crash, not a single fault. See the Swiss Cheese model of systematic failures: [en.wikipedia.org]

You're probably thinking of Delta 1288, [en.wikipedia.org] . This was found to be metal fatigue. not pilot error. Perhaps there was another incident you're thinking of though...

Paradox, that link to Le Figaro was just added moments ago and was not in the initial post by Jesus.

"Not very comforting that a "crew error" can cause a plane to nose dive."

Moebius, that's correct, the CVR and DFDR would be transported in the same water it had been submersed in until it can be properly cleaned... this prevents corrosion from starting when it's removed from the ocean.

While it's not the most direct source, that quote comes from an Airbus Accident Information Telex, viewable here: [www.flottau-aviation.com]

BEA has had no time to fully analyze the FDR, and Air France does not have a representative at the investigation. Air France is simply going on leaked information.

You'll be waiting awhile for that BA609:

Shame it's not based on the new EC145T2, the newer more sexy Fenestron-tailed variant.

HondaJet? Ha! Been in the works for 6-8 years, and still not available. Love vaporware.

Alex203-

Yep. BBC tasked 550 people to cover the royal wedding, and I'm sure they brought some pretty serious broadcast gear. The picture of a few cameras on a bed is nothing compared to the Ku Band uplink trucks, miles of triax cable, and dozens of $100k+ camera rigs.

Interesting that they have WFT-E2 WiFi transmitters on the side of two cameras. I wonder how well they worked in that environment with various jammers in place. Perhaps they were hardwired via Ethernet.

The monopod is made by Gitzo, but just has a Nikon pad on it.

"fits in your car"? Sure looks like a trailer to me. I'm not an etymologist, but I believe that it sits behind your car instead.

Sensationalist absurd headline. This happens EVERY DAY across the world, and it is not a collision risk. It's separation for wake turbulence. The quoted block from WaPo accurately describes things with the exception of "presidential 737 was far closer"... give us a number! Oh, right, the correct number was around 3…

It is operated remotely here. This incident occurred at the ZOB ARTCC (also known as Cleveland Center) facility, which manages high altitude airspace (FL240 and up, most likely). This is a windowless room in a building full of radar screens and likely nowhere near a runway.

C.E.S., anyone?

This is already done in the form of "D Checks", also known as Heavy Maintenance Visits. While these checks only occur every 5 years or so per airplane, the plane is literally disassembled for the inspection. The problem is that some (many) of these checks take place at non-US Maintenance Repair and Overhaul stations…

When WinSock was an add-on needed to use TCP/IP in Windows...