this one didn’t fall out of the sky, it flew into the ground in a “controlled descent into terrain”. People on the ground who saw the plane said nothing appeared abnormal except the altitude, and there were noises like “fighter jet” ... engine surges? was the computer controlling the plane?
It sure sounds like cabin depressurization incapacitated the crew, and hopefully the passenger too. Something happened as soon as it reached 38K cruising altitude- what does that clue imply? Someone left a wrench in the nose gear compartment or punched a hole in the fuselage that cause a leak? What is the nationality and skill of the ground crews at Barcelona? Going by the report on UK DailyMail which are more detailed but no expert here
Can’t recall where I read it yesterday, but this particular aircraft (and maybe all Airbus planes; again, I don’t recall) is/are certified to fly up to 39,000 feet, but can begin experiencing problems at 37,000 feet if certain temperature, moisture, wind, or pressure conditions exist.
Seems like a good idea to me to keep them below 37,000 and leave it at that.
That's always my first thought. "Who was the last one to work on it". I have little experience with aircraft but a lifetime of experience with every kind of rolling stock.
If depressurization incapacitated the crew, wouldn't the plane just keep on flying at 38,000 feet?
The crew apparently had the wherewithal to set the jet for a controlled descent which indicates that the crew had oxygen at least initially.