May 26, 1991
Near Ban Nong Rong, Thailand
Lauda Air, Flight 004
Boeing B-767-3Z9ER
OE-LAV

 Twelve minutes after takeoff the crew received a visual REV ISLN advisory warning which indicated that an additional system failure may cause deployment of the No. 1 engine thrust reverser. No action was taken since the manual indicated "No Action Required". Just before reaching FL 310 during a climb, there was an uncommanded deployment of the No. 1 engine thrust reverser. The aircraft stalled, when into a steep high speed dive, broke apart at 4,000 feet and crashed into the jungle 70 miles northwest of Bangkok. Failure of the reverse thrust isolation valve. Following the accident Boeing made modifications to the thrust reverser system.  All 223 aboard killed.

CA = Captain
F/O = First Officer

23.21:21   [Warning light indicating possibility of reverse thrust becoming activated]
23.21:21 F/O Shit.
23.21:24 CA That keeps, that's come on.
23.22:28 F/O So we passed transition altitude one-zero-one-three.
23.22:30 CA OK.
23.23:57 CA What's it say in there about that, just ah...
23.24:00 F/O (reading from quick reference handbook) Additional system failures may cause in-flight deployment. Expect normal reverse operation after landing.
23.24:11 CA OK.
23.24:12 CA Just, ah, let's see.
23.24:36 CA OK.
23.25:19 F/O Shall I ask the ground staff?
23.25:22 CA What's that?
23.25:23 F/O Shall I ask the technical men?
23.25:26 CA Ah, you can tell 'em it, just it's, it's, it's, just ah, no, ah, it's probably ah wa... ah moisture or something 'cause it's not just, oh, it's coming on and off.
23.25:39 F/O Yeah.
23.25:40 CA But, ah, you know it's a ... it doesn't really, it's just an advisory thing, I don't ah ...
23.25:55 CA Could be some moisture in there or somethin'.
23.26:03 F/O Think you need a little bit of rudder trim to the left.
23.26:06 CA What's that?
23.26:08 F/O You need a little bit of rudder trim to the left.
23.26:10 CA OK.
23.26:12 CA OK.
23.26:50 F/O [Starts adding up figures in German]
23.30:09 F/O [Stops adding figures]
23.30:37 F/O Ah, reverser's deployed.
23.30:39   [Sound of snap]
23.30:41 CA Jesus Christ!
23.30:44   [Sound of four caution tones]
23.30:47   [Sound of siren warning starts]
23.30:48   [Sound of siren warning stops]
23.30:52   [Sound of siren warning starts and continues until the recording ends]
23.30:53 CA Here, wait a minute!
23.30:58 CA Damn it!
23.31:05   [Sound of bang]

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