Free Republic

Engine start was initiated using the onboard battery. Afterwards, following an initial unsuccessful start of the left engine, both engines were started around 9:53 a.m. But problems continued to mount as the aircraft taxied toward the runway. During taxi, the pilot and two pilot-rated passengers discussed that a thrust reverser indicator light for an unspecified engine was inoperative, though they believed the thrust reverser itself was working properly. Meanwhile, the right-seat passenger attempted to contact ZTL ATC and activate the flight’s IFR flight plan three times between 10:08 and 10:10 but was unsuccessful due to the controller’s workload and associated...

A Garuda jet crashed, killing 21 people including five Australians, after the pilots ignored no fewer than 15 warnings, a report has found. And the sister of one of the dead, Australian Financial Review journalist Morgan Mellish, angrily confronted Indonesia's Transport Minister, demanding to know what action would be taken against the pilot and co-pilot, who survived the crash. Caroline Mellish was furious that authorities refused to use the words "pilot error" or comment on any legal action against the crew. "What is happening to the pilots? Twenty-one deaths on his conscience. Is that all he has?" Ms Mellish asked...