Syrian Arab Airlines A320 mid-air collision

*If* not a helicopter, then maybe a fast moving drone with a sharp leading edge, the lower cut possibly caused by a tail, something like the EADS Barracuda?

I dunno

Originally posted by Panic2k11
reply to post by Zaphod58

 

unverified reports say the collision occurred at 12,000 feet, far above where you normally see a helicopter operating.

Drones. Drones, drones everywhere...

Scaremongering, scaremongering, unverified supposition and assertion, unsupported accusation everywhere.

reply to post by Aloysius the Gaul

Scaremongering, scaremongering, unverified supposition and assertion, unsupported accusation everywhere.

Wait until more people know how to weaponize drones and you will see scaremongering...

I'm waiting for someone to use a quad-copter to start placing explosives in the outside of aircraft as they wait on airport terminals (or other similar type of terrorism), the mind boggles with the possibilities of cheap terror that can come from this turn of mindset regarding terror attacks that was initiated by the US. It is way cheaper than to develop or even by a full ground-to-air system...

Imagine the damage the Syrian opposition could do with some RC drones packed with explosives, from attacks to infrastructure (energy and communication) to spot assassination... ...this is the future, now...

reply to post by Panic2k11


People have already "weaponised drones" - wtf do you think predators are chucking at targets in the 'stans??

and someone as recently arrested for "plotting" to use RC model a/c to attack the pentagon IIRC.

your response is typical - more scaremongering, assertions, appealing to fear, etc. - and little grip on reality.

Sadly typical of ATS.

Here's a more likely thing to imagine than a doomsday plot with RC drones: the a/c hit a helicopter!

Assuming no restrictions and the aircraft was climbing to a much higher cruise altitude, at 12,000 feet the A320 would have most likely been doing between 270 and 290 knots indicated, which corresponds to about 615 km/h, 380 mph true airspeed. In the US aircraft are limited to 250 knots indicated below 10,000 feet. Above that they typically climb at a specific indicated airspeed until they reach a certain mach number. That airspeed is usually ~280 knots indicated, but varies depending on the weight, economic factors, and whether the pilots want a maximum rate, maximum angle, or economical climb.

Looks to me like somebody Syrian ATC screwed up. Most likely thing is that the military helicopter did an incursion into a commercial flyway for an airport approach and the jet wasn't told about it. If the military is doing some operation (due to the rebellion there), airspace should have been restricted and the commercial pilot should have been given some notice to divert.

Combine something like a 200+ MPH difference in airspeed and conditions that may have limited visibility, and it's like playing Russian roulette. This time it turned out lucky for the plane and passengers, the mistake still sucked for whoever was on that helicopter.