Not actual gas mask worn in Caravelle
In the pre-report in 1970 the CET (crash investigators) state that the "pilots were wearing their oxygen masks to avoid breathing in the smoke".
A few pages later, they say that "one can assume that they lost control of the plane due to intoxication from poisonous gases". If they were wearing masks this could not have happened so fast. Masks or no masks?
The confusion on this matter raises its head again, two years later. The Commission writes that the pilots had been poisoned by fumes, hence they were not wearing oxygen masks? Which is it?
Reading the last words of the pilots, we see "we have clear sight of the ground and good visibility.." hence they had a clear view out the window in the cockpit and no smoke. Within seconds they crashed, a catastrophic loss of control, which points to damage to the hydraulic system.
The investigating commission wanted to promote their conclusion of a fire in the interior of the plane. Mention of an outside collision was to be avoided at all costs.
A few pages later, they say that "one can assume that they lost control of the plane due to intoxication from poisonous gases". If they were wearing masks this could not have happened so fast. Masks or no masks?
The confusion on this matter raises its head again, two years later. The Commission writes that the pilots had been poisoned by fumes, hence they were not wearing oxygen masks? Which is it?
Reading the last words of the pilots, we see "we have clear sight of the ground and good visibility.." hence they had a clear view out the window in the cockpit and no smoke. Within seconds they crashed, a catastrophic loss of control, which points to damage to the hydraulic system.
The investigating commission wanted to promote their conclusion of a fire in the interior of the plane. Mention of an outside collision was to be avoided at all costs.