14 DAY TRIAL // In February this year, an almost new ART 72-600 from TransAsia Airways’ fleet crashed into a shallow river in Taipei. Of the 58 people on board, 43 died, including the 3 pilots. One of them had pulled the wrong throttle, killing off the plane’s only working engine, it has been revealed.
The ASC is still investigating the causes of the crash, but the recordings made in the minutes before the crash revealed how a human error might have been responsible for the tragedy, Reuters reports (see video below).
Captain Liao Jian-zong, who had been promoted to the position in August 2014, accidentally pulled the wrong throttle and thus left the plane without its only working engine. “Wow, pulled the wrong throttle!,” he’s heard saying.
He and the other 2 pilots tried to restart it before the crash, but to no result. On the record, they’re also heard saying “Prepare for impact” several times, as the plane hit the water.
The new report also revealed that, in May 2014, as he was being reviewed for the promotion, the same Captain had failed simulator training because his cockpit management was wanting and his knowledge of dealing with engine flame-out on take-off was minimal.
