Plane Crash: What Went Wrong On Flight GE235?

Mystery still surrounds the crash of TransAsia flight GE235 as investigators analyse the flight voice and data recorders.

The devices, which were found among the wreckage, will be examined for clues as to why the plane fell from the sky within minutes of taking off.

In the pilot's last communication, made public by Taiwan's air traffic control, he talked of engine "flameout".

:: What Is Engine Flameout?
Shortly after the ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft left the runway, the pilot was heard saying: "(inaudible) ... mayday, mayday, engine flameout".
The plane was filmed apparently rolling to a 45-degree angle when it clipped a road bridge before smashing into Keelung River with 58 people on board.
A flameout happens when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted or when there is faulty combustion, leading to an engine failure.
Experts say twin-engined planes can usually keep flying on one engine.

:: Could A Bird Strike Be To Blame?
Apple Daily, a Hong Kong-owned newspaper printed in Taiwan, suggested the engine failure could have been caused by a bird strike.
One retired pilot told Sky News that bird strikes were often the cause of flameouts.
However, she said: "The pilot does hours and hours of training for this eventuality - that's what we're trained to do."
She went on: "A failure may come after V1 decision is taken - that's the decision to continue with take-off because there's not enough time to stop and you have to go on with just one engine."
For that reason, she expressed surprise that the plane had come down.
"Various mathematical calculations are made and it could be that one of those factors was incorrect - for example, there's an error in working out how much weight the aircraft is carrying, or those concerning the weather conditions are wrong," she said.

:: What Do We Know About The Pilot?
The possibility of pilot error must be considered by investigators after any crash, but they will be studying flight data and voice recordings before drawing any conclusions.
In this case, Liao Chien-tsung, who died in the crash, has been praised for managing to avoid crashing into built-up areas.
Aviation experts said the pilot - who had 4,900 hours of experience - seemed to steer the plane away from populated areas, potentially avoiding more deaths and damage.
Other analysts said it was too early to say whether the plane had missed buildings because of the actions of the cockpit crew.
Mr Liao, 41, was described as a loving family man who had joined the air force before becoming a commercial pilot.

:: Engine Checks Now Under Way
Taiwan's aviation regulator has ordered engine and fuel system tests on other ATR aircraft.
The two engines of the crashed plane were less than a year old, having been replaced at Macau Airport in April last year, Macau's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
They were changed by TransAsia engineers on the plane's delivery flight because of "engine-related technical issues" and the plane left the airport two days later, the CAA said.
The two PW127M engines were made by Pratt and Whitney, part of United Technologies.
Taiwan has had a poor aviation safety record in recent years. One of TransAsia's ATR 72-500 planes crashed while trying to land at Penghu Island last July, killing 48 people.

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