737 fell like a rock
(files.catbox.moe)
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Given the altitude drops while the speed stays the same, that implies no bomb, no missile, which would alter the speed at the same time as alt. No that looks more like intentional dive, either pilot goes mad, or remote control. A control failure is unlikely, like tail flaps, because that would have a changing effect not a linear effect.
Conclusion: remote or pilot action
Agreed on the first few points. No way did it fall that fast in alt but yet remain relatively stable with airspeed. Yes a rapid descent, but controlled imho. But controlled by what or who?
I think that is ground speed. Which would make sense.
The vertical speed was last indicated at about -31,000 FPM or 306 KTS downward. The ground speed through most the fall/dive was about 450 KTS.
Now to get geeky, if you sum the vectors of the horizontal and vertical speeds, you get a 544 KTS (626 MPH!!) actual speed of the aircraft.
I don't know what the terminal velocity of a tumbling 737 is, but I doubt its even in the ball park of 626 MPH. So definitely a powered dive.
EDIT: Calculating the actual speed from the horizontal and vertical vectors also gives us a downward angle (on overage) of -55 degrees, incase that is useful to our plane fags.
One hell of a rapid descent! Must be close to VMO no?
I'm not really sure you can rely on the resolution of that speed indicator. In any real situation the speed must have increased at the knee of the descent, unless the engines were perfectly throttled back to compensate. That straight line is too perfect.
Unlike the altitude which is reported in real time by the Mode-C of the transponder, velocity may be calculated from position and run through a low pass filter. There could be a significant delay from when the true airspeed changed to when it is displayed on the graph. We are talking a total time increment of only 5 minutes, and that constant output with a sudden drop at the end really looks like it is an artifact of the calculation.
It is ground speed - as indicated in the graphic from OP.
Yeah just noticed that in the graphic above, and I'm guessing its final descent rate of nearly 31,000 fpm!
So was its IAS 544kts like the post above suggests? Will check to see what its cruising speed is at alt.
maybe pilot had a vax-stroke and slumped over on the yoke? or maybe he had the fish for dinner and Ted wasn't on this flight.
hehe I still say "I have a drinking problem" if I spill a drink
Agree 100%. Airspeed is constant through almost all of the altitude loss. The odds of the A/C falling, after an explosion, at exactly the same speed as it was cruising at is not likely to me. 100% controlled dive thru 8,000 ft, unless the data is faulty some how.
Something happens at 7-8,000 ft tho. Maybe dove the plane low enough for ground forces?