Throttle error in Brazil air crash

A lever to control engine speed was in the wrong position and probably a major cause of Brazil's worst air accident last month, according to flight recorder data cited by a newspaper yesterday.

Data from the flight recorder suggests that the thrust lever for one of the turbines was in the "accelerate" position when it should have been switched to idle. If confirmed, the report could cast doubt on speculation that a slippery runway may have been a major cause of the accident. One of the aircraft's thrust reversers, which are used to help brake, was inoperative, TAM had previously said.

A congressional probe yesterday read out loud the last 12 minutes of cockpit conversation. The transcript showed the pilots were aware of the disabled thrust reverser but were unable to brake the plane.

"Reverse one only," "slow down, slow down," and "I can't, I can't," the pilots shouted. The last statements of the transcript were "Oh my God" and "oh, no."