Crash pilots' last frantic seconds
July 19, 2002 Posted: 9:07 AM EDT (1307 GMT)

BERLIN, Germany -- Pilots of two planes that collided in mid-air, killing 71 people, saw the other aircraft coming and spent their final seconds trying in vain to avoid a crash, according to a German inquiry.

Examination of the flight recorders showed that computers on both planes simultaneously told the pilots to take emergency action 36 seconds before impact at 35,000 feet (10,500 metres) over southern Germany, investigators revealed on Friday.

That warning is nine seconds later than previously thought, The Associated Press reported.

The Russian Bashkirian Airlines Tu-154, with 69 people including 49 schoolchildren, and a DHL International Boeing 757-200 cargo plane with a pilot and co-pilot, hit each other at right angles, said a German accident office statement.

More at:
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/07/19/midair.inquiry/index.html