Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bodies fished out from swirling waters

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
A Brazilian helicopter works to recover spotted debris from the crashed plane in Atlantic

At least 17 bodies have been recovered from the debris of an Air France jet that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean last week.

A New York Times report says the men who search for the debris were battling all odds to save the fast disappearing evidence in what can be called as one of the most mysterious plane crashes in recent memory.

Besides bodies, debris was also found from the swirling waters. Search teams are also scouring for more bodies, materials, key equipment, and most importantly the Black Box.

Read on to find out how specially qualified personnel from different countries battle all odds to find clues from the mighty Atlantic Ocean. 

Plane truth: In bits and pieces

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Sailors pick a piece of debris from Air France flight AF447 out of the Atlantic Ocean

The report adds, "The bits and pieces of Air France Flight 447, recovered over the weekend -- as well as the first bodies, of two men on Saturday morning -- narrowed the search to a region of several hundred square miles some 600 miles off the northeast coast of Brazil."'

Then...what happened?

What is Left Now

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Another piece of debris
The search team -- comprises five Brazilian ships, a French frigate and submarine, 12 Brazilian planes and two French ones -- says it highest priority now is to find the black box to look into the possible reasons that led to the crash.

Evidence Hangs By a Thread

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
A helicopter transports to a ship a piece of debris.

The search for the plane's black box, or flight data recorder, is becoming more urgent as it will continue emitting a radio signal for only another three weeks, after which it will be near impossible to locate in the deep ocean.

Danger Signals

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Pieces found from debris

Meanwhile, the last few short-coded reports, sent automatically by the aircraft's sophisticated flights systems, paint a frightening but incomplete picture of multiple systems failing just before the catastrophic end.

US Navy Will Chip In

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Brazilian Air Force team sit in the cabin of a R99 radar team, scoring fir clues.
For the Black Box, the French Navy is already in action. And the US Navy is expected to send two 'pinger' locator devices.

Black Box Will Beep For 30 Days

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
A view of the ocean from a Brazil Air Force plane

Another report says the recorders, made by Honeywell International Inc, have water-activated 'pingers' that run for 30 days and remain intact as deep as 3.8 miles, about twice the depth of the ocean where the debris has been found.

Speed sensors went wrong?

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Search teams in action

Air France is speeding up replacement of speed sensors on all of its Airbus A-330s amid speculation that a faulty indication might have been a factor in the loss of its Rio de Janeiro-Paris flight over the Atlantic with 228 people on board.

Air France clears the air

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Oil  slick that is said to be from the crashed plane
Air France on Saturday issued a statement with details about the monitors hours after the French agency investigating the disaster said the sensors were not replaced on the doomed aircraft.

Looking for more debris

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Search teams scour the ocean for leads.
But the airline disclosed that it had begun replacing them on its Airbus A-330 models on April 27 after an improved version became available.  Pitot tubes, located on the exterior of the aircraft, are used to help measure aerodynamic speed.

France to appoint special ambassador

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
It is a big task for search teams

Considering the importance, France says it will appoint an 'ambassador' to help coordinate the investigation into the Air France Flight 447 plane crash.

It is just a baggage now

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
Another picture of the debris fished out

A seat and luggage was also found besides bodies.

This was the plane that sunk

June 9, 2009 14:48 IST
A file picture of the flight.

A serial number from the seat and a flight ticket were found inside a leather case.

The ill-fated plane was flying from Brazil to France -- over the deadly Atlantic Ocean-- with 228 passengers when the accident happened.