26 May 1991 - Lauda 004

Lauda Air Flight NG004 (Hong Kong - Bangkok - Vienna) took off from Bangkok at around 23:10h for it's 1132nd flight (and 7429th flying hour). Twelve minutes after take-off, the crew got a visual REV ISLN advisory warning. It indicated that 'an additional system failure might cause in-flight deployment ...' of the No.1 engine (Pratt & Whitney PW4060) thrust reverser. The crew didn't take immediate action, since the 767 Emergency/Malfunction Checklist said 'No action required'. Nine minutes later, shortly before reaching FL310, the No.1 thrust reverser deployed. The Boeing (named 'Mozart') stalled and crashed out of control. The aircraft disintegrated at 2000m; the fuselage crashed in the jungle at a 45 angle and exploded. One of the aircraft's wings was found 19km and the cockpit 1,5km from the main crash site.



23.21:21 - [Warning light indicated]

23.21:21 FO: Shit.

23.21:24 CA: That keeps, that's come on.

23.22:28 FO: So we passed transition altitude one-zero-one-three

23.22:30 CA: OK.

23.23:57 CA: What's it say in there about that, just ah...

23.24:00 FO: (reading from quick reference handbook) Additional system failures may cause in-flight deployment. Expect normal reverse operation after landing.

23.24:11 CA: OK.

23.24:12 CA: Just, ah, let's see.

23.24:36 CA: OK.

23.25:19 FO: Shall I ask the ground staff?

23.25:22 CA: What's that?

23.25:23 FO: Shall I ask the technical men?

23.25:26 CA: Ah, you can tell 'em it, just it's, it's, it's, just ah, no, ah, it's probably ah wa... ah moisture or something 'cause it's not just, oh, it's coming on and off.

23.25:39 FO: Yeah.

23.25:40 CA: But, ah, you know it's a ... it doesn't really, it's just an advisory thing, I don't ah ...

23.25:55 CA: Could be some moisture in there or somethin'.

23.26:03 FO: Think you need a little bit of rudder trim to the left.

23.26:06 CA: What's that?

23.26:08 FO: You need a little bit of rudder trim to the left.

23.26:10 CA: OK.

23.26:12 CA: OK.

23.26:50 FO: (starts adding up figures in German)

23.30:09 FO: (stops adding figures)

23.30:37 FO: Ah, reverser's deployed.

23.30:39 - [sound of snap]

23.30:41 CA: Jesus Christ!

23.30:44 - [sound of four caution tones]

23.30:47 - [sound of siren warning starts]

23.30:48 - [sound of siren warning stops]

23.30:52 - [sound of siren warning starts and continues until the recording ends]

23.30:53 CA: Here, wait a minute!

23.30:58 CA: Damn it!

23.31:05 - [sound of bang]

[End of Recording]

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