The NTSB released a preliminary summary of selected data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), providing a detailed timeline of the Boeing 767’s final approach and runway excursion.
In this video, we map that information onto the aircraft’s final flight path in real time, attempting to illustrate how the sequence unfolded.
The final 6 minutes and 2 seconds of the CVR recording show the crew configuring the aircraft for landing. At 4:18 before the end of the recording, the crew was cleared to land on Runway 30.
As the approach continued, the landing gear was lowered and the flaps were progressively extended.
At 1:42, one pilot called for flaps 20 while the other cautioned that the aircraft was too fast. Comments concerning excessive speed continued during the remainder of the recording.
The approach then became increasingly critical.
The CVR recorded “sink rate” warnings, followed by multiple “too low terrain” warnings. At approximately 31 seconds before the end of the CVR recording, sounds similar to touchdown were recorded.
But the sequence did not end there.
At approximately 15 seconds before the end of the CVR recording, a pilot called for a go-around.
The FDR provides additional information from the final seconds. About 30 seconds before the end of its recording, the nose gear and right main landing gear touched down at approximately 158 knots. The brakes were subsequently applied.
At 15 seconds before the end of the FDR recording, the brakes were released and the throttles were increased to a setting consistent with go-around thrust.
Approximately four seconds later, the throttles were reduced to idle and the brakes were reapplied.
The aircraft continued beyond the paved runway surface.
At the end of the FDR recording, the final recorded groundspeed was approximately 65 knots. There was no indication that the speed brakes or thrust reversers were deployed.
This video synchronizes and maps these recorder events against the final flight path to provide a visual reconstruction of the sequence, second by second.
One important note: the CVR and FDR timelines have not been precisely synchronized. This is an independent visual reconstruction based on the information released by the NTSB, and the preliminary findings may change as the investigation continues.
Watch the full reconstruction and follow the final moments of 21 Air Flight 7598 through the CVR and FDR data.
