53 thoughts on “UPDATE: Crashed Ethiopian plane cockpit recorder recovered (AP)”

1. This is such a sad news. I am sorry for those on board the aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines is an excellent airlines and this is a very rare incident. I pray for all the passengers and their families.

2. My deepest condolences to the family members of the passengers and crew members of the Ethiopian plane crush near Beirut.

3. i am very sorry to hear this news. let us pray for whose who travelled in that flight

4. It is much a sad news, deepest condolences to the family members, and we pray that God give them the comfort to the families.

5. This is very sad and devastating news. My heart goes out to all the passengers, crew members and their families.

6. may god give the family who lost their loved one the strength.

7. My condolence to all the people’s family who lost their life. I wonder what realy happend?

8. I knew one of the crew members. The senior flight attendant had several children. This is really very sad for many people. My deepest condolences go out to all the victims families.

9. I’m really shocked with what I have seen. May God give the strength to all the ppl’s families.

10. I would like to start with a silent prayer for the victims and Crew of ET 409 may god rest their souls. I am not a disgruntled Pilot or seeking revenge. This is what was waiting to happen to Ethiopian Airlines in the shadows. (The problem is with the style of management at the COO level. The CEO Ato Girma Wake is doing a great job).

    Pilots and cabin Crew members are voicing their grief at every stop. Our heart sinks with sorrow when we hear (this news) and their stories. How some of them have not seen their family or children for days. How some of them fear for their jobs as they are intimidated day in day out. Let all Ethiopians be aware that I love my Airline and will go back to fly for Ethiopian in a heartbeat. I have plenty of years left. I am out here flying for a foreign Airline because of the mishandling and violation of Pilots rights. They are under paid. Hiring and paying foreign pilots way more than Ethiopians. All the pilots know this but the saddest thing is they don’t have anywhere to go. Their license is blocked and are not allowed to resign. They have to fork their own earning to training sometimes up to $500, 000 Birr plus. It was the saddest day in my life to leave my Airline but I had to as so many are waiting in the shadows to-do the same.

    Pilots are intimidated to fly beyond regulation allowed hours with no collective agreement, and scolding and degrading staff in public. Department heads of Flt operations are pushed to upgrade pilots without proper qualifications. An example is: a Pilot to be upgraded needs 9 to 10 hours of training in the simulator other than the CBT and ground school he or she takes according to the regulation. But department heads are pushed and forced to give incapable and not ready Pilot candidates to upgrade by allowing or forcing to give those additional hours to some up to 30 hours to prepare them for command ship. As pilots’ are intimidated to fly over 100 hours where regulation states 70 to 80 hours is ample. Pilots are intimidated and warned of losing their jobs if they ask for vacation. Pilots are forced to take cash instead of their hard earned and well deserved vacation time. I had an accumulated vacation time of 6 years that I could not take. Every time I asked I was told I am not a team player and I should expect repercussion in the future.. The list goes on. If you think I am fabricating these story please talk discretely to some of the pilots and you will hear all the horror stories. For your information most of the pilots are flying hoping they will get my kind of opportunity one day. It is not that we hate our Airline or don’t care for its growth; it is just that at the COO level making all Ethiopian Airlines employees life hell on earth. Supply and demand of Pilots and leased airplanes: Pilots are flying tired and fatigues. An Ethiopian Airlines had a recent incident were both crew members fall asleep and flew into Italian airspace without clearance because of severe lack of sleep and rest time . Leasing Airplanes that should not fly because of wear and tear previous mechanical problems etc… constantly advertising for pilots which I don’t have any objection if it helps the Airline grow. But most of them are leaving after 4 to 5 month service because they could not stand the heat or working condition.

    Bloggers again I am not a disgruntled former employee I am just voicing my opinion and hope fully I am being the voice of so many that are suffocating and still flying because they don’t have no choice. I pray for the Crew and passengers that perished on ET flight 409. Long live Ethiopian Airlines and the staff that are tirelessly fighting for its survival and God Bless Ethiopia.

    XET pilot

11. My sympathy to the passengers and crew. It can happen to the best; but your sterling record should sustain you through this traumatic period. Hope the respect and the admiration of your long distinguished record will remain untarnished.

12. It is really sad, I can’t imagine what the crew were thinkning or doing on that moment, i don’t know what to say

13. XET pilot shame on you! instead of dressing the problem you ran away. Your comment is sort of embarrassing. I wish you had kept quiet at least at this time, or find an alternative way to tell us. Your comment is more depressing and hurtful than the crash itself, right now we need pilots who can stand the pressure and heat not flee.

14. My deepest condolences to the family of the dead and all the hard working people at Ethiopian. What can you say about XET? This really is un-Ethiopian. May you remain an X forever. Taking advantage of this sad story to tell us how bad Ethiopian is really sick. If you really think the situation is as bad as you make it be, then it’s your civic duty to take it to the right authorities.

15. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their anguishing family members. My thoughts are also with members of the brave Ethiopian Airlines family! ET had seen bad times before and survived. And the ET family will survive this one too. But tragedies are the appropriate time to look inward and make sincere changes. So I disagree . The complaints of the EX ET Pilot are not totally outlandish at all. It is true that Ethiopian airlines crew are one of best trained in the world, but the least paid. Especially when you compare them to the Gulf States airlines. It is not the pilot’s opinion and his timing in expressing them that are embarrassing, but rather the pay numbers are too embarrassing to mention here. It is also true that there have been several close calls recently and the Italy incident mentioned by the pilot is case in point. So it does not hurt for the CEO to look inside toward the employees, the people that carry the burden of running one of the best airlines in the world in one of the poorest countries on earth. Let us reward them and let us say thank you to them. After all Ethiopian is the symbol of the Ethiopian people just like Emperor Haile Selassie, the founder envisioned it. I am sorry, but I also don’t think this was an accident. If it was the just the weather, then why the ball of fire? Plus, it is would not be unusual for sabotage in Beirut. The question is what would the motive be. It needs to be investigated until the all dots are connected.

16. deepest condolences to the family of the dead and wish their soul to rest in peace.

17. May God rest their souls in Peace….and we all pray not to hear such bad news no more!!!!!!!

18. I mourn over those who perished in this tragic disaster. I would like to express my sorrow to all the victims families, their friends and ethi-airlines to get comforted.

19. The issue might be true, the timing is not right to complain about the problem in EA.

20. I am pained by the news. Sorry to hear such a tragedy for Ethiopian Air. My heart aches for the passengers and crew.

21. MY CONDOLENCE TO ALL ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE.

22. As I heard the crash of our ET409 plane I was shocked and really sorry for what happened. It is a very bad news for us. There is no passengers found alive from the crush. I am really sorry for this tragedy and for the people who were aboard that plane. May God help all of them.

23. My sincere condolences to all the victims. We must find all the answers. What exactly happened here? Was it the weather? Was it terrorism? Or was it pilot error?

24. May the Lord rest their souls in peace!

25. My deepest condolences to the family. May God rest their souls in peace.

26. I pray for the victims. RIP.

    My question: I thought the Ethiopian airlines employees are well paid.
    What is the pay for a pilot now?
    What is the pay for the hostess?

    Thanks

27. Yes, they are well paid by Ethiopia’s standard…much better than most people in Ethiopia. But by international standards, they get paid pennies. Please don’t ask how much. It is too embarrassing to mention. Let’s just say I make more selling furniture in the States than a pilot in Ethiopia.

    Enough said.

28. What is this tragedy has to do with how much Ethiopian pilots get paid? I don’t get it and I don’t see your point, but instead, what is your wish to their families who lost their family member? God help the victims and keep their soul in heaven.

29. It appears that the Lebanese authorities are trying to place the blame on the Ethiopian pilot prior to the completition of the investigation, including the discovery and examination of the Black Box. We would like to inform the authorities that there is no substitute to finding out what exactly happened on that tragic moment. The premature release of speculative statements, unfortunately, add to the grief and collective pain. It would be helpful if they wait until the investigation is completed.

    The Ethiopian Airlines earned its outstanding reputations. If the Ethiopian Airlines is a country, it would be a developed country, perhaps a sought after and regular member of G-20. The staff of the Airlines are higly skilled professionals, whose consistent and high level performance are contributing to the growth and expansion of its services.

30. EX pilot,

    Although your points are valid as has been demonstrated through the media such as your claims of used-planes, potential pilot error, etc, your comments are out of order for the simple reason that this is a time of tragedy for all involved especially your former friends and colleagues at Ethiopian Airlines. In our culture, despite our differences, when tragedy befalls someone, everything stops and we help, pray and mourn with the victims. That’s our culture. Even though I agree and support your opinion 100%, what you did here was classless and un-Ethiopian.

    My thoughts are with the victims of this devastating tragedy.

31. In reference to XET pilots statement. Many of us believe in freedom of speech ! Every human being has the right to express himself in any way he feels comfortable. The world has changed freedom of expression is the way forward. Mr A.Tesfaye should not take it personally! XET pilot did not insult anyone nor did he make false accusations! He made those statements on behalf of all Ethiopian Airlines staff. In this case there are many of us who think he has a valid point!

    My condolences to all berieved Ethiopian families who lost their loved ones.

    Kebede

32. I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCE TO ALL PASSENGERS AS WELL AS FOR THEIR FAMILIES. May God be with them and may their souls rest in peace.

33. Dears, please don’t blame each other (at this time of tragedy). It is rather better to pray for those passengers whose bodies have not been recovered yet. It is not the right time to blame each other. Of course, we will blame each other later (after this has passed) if it is necessary. So try to beg the creator to enable “mother Ethiopia” to receive the dead bodies of her sons and daughters home. They are far from her in the middle east, buried under the sea. As u all know we are poor and always searching for survival through ups and downs. That is why those victims, our sisters and brothers, were left there under the sea. So please feel socially responsible, kneel down and prey for the best way forward for our country. May God save the rest of the world. And may the souls of the victims enter heaven.

    Your’s M.A from the university of habesha land, capital.

34. It is very sad to hear the tragic situation that happened to the passengers and crew members of Ethiopian Airlines, our heart goes out to them. May God give the family of passengers and crew members the strength.

    Saba and family

35. I was shocked when I heard the crash. We have the best airline in Africa.Since the last 60 years of flying history this is the third crush that happened. This kind of accident happens to every airline . I am still proud of our courageous pilots and humble and hard worker flight attendants. Keep up the good job my heroes. Let the victim’s soul rest in peace. I wish quick comfort to the family and friends. Let this accident be the last of crash for Our Ethiopian Airlines. Long live to our Ethiopian airlines!

36. xet piolt ….was just explaining the reason what could have happened. I don’t think there will be a better time to vent his frustration about the Air lines problem..He did opened the unknown wounds that was hiding among us….We cant bring them back but maybe we can prevent this from happening again…maybe the pilot ignored the orders same way you are refusing to accept the truth….This is the great loss for all of us…not only for Ethiopians but for all those other nations who had perished …thank you xet pilot

37. My heart and my feeling is disturbed. All the day and night i think of who those lost their life. When I think of my country i think of my flag rounding the world with our Airlines, our prestige, our identity. With this tragedy i would like to send my deep sorrow to those who lost their life and the families they have all over the world. God bless all of us.

38. ooo when I first heard the news I fell sad. Xet mentioned one point that I think may be the cause for flight 409’s crush. Maybe the pilots got tired. Anyways, we will see what the cause was after the investigation is completed. May God keep there soul in heaven and give their relatives and all Ethiopian peoples the strength. All Ethiopians in Gulf feel very bad because of this crush.

    Qatar, Doha

39. My sympathy to all the families of the dead. I was shocked when I heard the crash of our Aeroplane. The only thing I can say is may God help the families of the individuals perished due to crash. Let us keep silent for some weeks. Complaining about the management of the Ethiopian Airlines now seems unfair. I disagree the complaint of Xet pilot. This is the time of grievance. He has plenty of times to share his grievance, and people can understand him. Let us keep such things aside and pray for families of the dead. The record shows that the Ethiopian Airline is the best in Africa and it has a good record in the world though there are some management problems. It is struggling for the security of the passengers. At least we have to see the the quality of service of the airline in this poorest country.

    I am sorry for died Ethiopians who struggled for survival departing from their families. I also wish good for all lost their families and friends. May God protect this airline from such occurrences.

    Thank you

40. Dear Ex Pilot, to rise such kind of comment at this time of tragedy is useless. hodament new!! you arewell paid by Ethiopian standards. They are many great scholars in various government offices who are paid much less than you. Do not try to avert the investigation by posing untimely questions, if u r a real Ethiopian. May GOD rest their soul in peace. Amen.

41. I agree with Ayele Bekerie that it is disappointing to see the Lebanese authorities rushing to judgment about the pilot without an investigation. They are doing it for their own domestic consumption reasons. Here is the truth:

    Ethiopian Airlines defends pilot after fatal crash ((AFP)
    28 January 2010
    ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Airlines defended Wednesday the pilot of one of its jets which crashed off Lebanon’s coast, as Lebanese authorities said he may not have followed orders from the control tower. Company spokesperson Wogayehu Tefere told AFP the pilot, whose name has not been released, was senior, “with a lot of experience” and had been “working for the company for 20 years.” “He had been a co-pilot on this aircraft before and he flew this route on a regular basis as well as other routes.” Wogayehu said it was “too early to say” regarding the information from Lebanese authorities on the crash, in which all 90 passengers are feared dead.

42. May god rest their soles. Tragedy happens, but I hope for the next years to come precaution procedures would be taken by these airline companies so that the risks would be reduced to 0.

    Regards .

43. God rests the soles of all the people that died in this unexpected tragic crash, everyone who lost someone precious may god be with you to give you strength to cross over this problem that hit all Lebanese and Ethiopian people. The airline must learn from this accident so it can prevent (similar accidents) from happening gain. Because the loss in (lives) is huge and unbearable. Please be more careful in the future. Three accidents in (60 years) is too much. Don’t you think?

44. I felt so so sad when i heard this news, may the Lord give courage to the families of passengers and to the precious and valuable crew members of our airlines. In regards to X et pilot, your idea is good but its not the right time.

45. I am shocked to hear about the sudden tragedy. The loss is no doubt irreparable but we have to bear it with great courage. May God give peace to the souls of all the people that lost their life in this unexpected tragic crash.

46. Unbelievable that no person is still alive. This is really very tragic. Lets pray so that God may give the strength to all the victims’ families.

47. I am so sorry. I am really shocked by the news about our crashed plane. We lost 90 people. I am also very sad but the X et pilot. You are not good person ……God help the victims and keep their souls in heaven!

48. My deepest condolences to all Ethiopian people. I hope they find the truth behind the mystery of flight 409.

49. Dear xET Pilot…You are entitled to your opinion sir. But I don’t think this is neither the time nor the forum to discuss issues of such nature and magnitude, even if they were true. Millions are mourning the loss of their loved ones as a result of this horrible tragedy.

    You have made some very serious accusations and statements sir. My intention is not to argue or refute any of the points that you have made, as I lack the facts. However I would have expected to see the level of professionalism and discipline from you that I have come to experience from many of the pilots that I have had the privilege to work with.

    My thoughts are with the crew and passengers of ET409 and their families. May God be with you during this difficult time.

50. My thoughts are with the crew and passengers. May god bless their soul.

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