From: rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com   
      
   Clive Sinclair wrote:   
      
   > Eeyore wrote:   
   > > Explainer wrote:   
   > >   
   > >> Pretty obvious from the descriptions of witnesses and passengers that at   
   least one of the engine >> thrust-reversers kicked in   
   > when the landing gear was lowered. Pilot error (like Air Canada >> 1970) or   
   malfunction? That's the only question now.   
   > >>   
   > >   
   > > Pretty obvious that you're a know-nothing IDIOT.   
   > >   
   > > My money's on bird strike until any better info comes along.   
   >   
   >   
   > All the experts   
      
   Such as WHOM ?   
      
      
   > now say NOT a bird strike. Wrong time of year. Does   
   > Heathrow not have Systems to scare birds away.   
      
   They have guys in Range Rovers and/or Land Rovers to do that. It's far from   
   infallible.   
      
      
   > Sure bird strikes happen, but how ofter at MAJOR airports.   
      
   Often enough but what does OFTEN have to do with it ?   
      
      
   > Lot's of eyewitnesses on the ground say it sounded very loud - full   
   > power being applied. Also would passengers not notice the engines 'going   
   > quiet' - even with Air con and the APU running.   
      
   No they probably wouldn't notice a thing. And indeed it seems they didn't. One   
   passenger simply called it a 'bumpy landing' !   
      
      
   > My guess is windshear, causes a sudden loss of LIFT and the pilots would   
   > then apply full power (the very loud overhead aircraft). The pilot   
   > should have had warning of windshear and time to raise the flaps a   
   > notch, which he apparently did - to obtain best glide speed/path.   
   >   
   > But againg, just a guess. I don't buy the both engines failing.   
      
   Windshear is AIUI all but unknown at Heathrow. It requires certain   
   meteorological conditions that are exceptionally rare in the UK   
   AIUI. We tend to have mild weather. It was mild yesterday. Just a bit rainy.   
      
   Furthermore the captain is reported as saying that they lost power. NOT that   
   they encountered windshear. I think he'd know the   
   difference.   
      
   Graham   
      
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