Both engines 'lost power' before Taiwan plane crash(2)

At 10:53:19 a.m., the pilots mentioned that Engine No. 1's propeller was auto-feathering and fuel had been cut off , followed by second and third audible warnings of the aircraft losing speed.

Feathering describes the action when a propeller's blades are rotated parallel to the airflow in case of an engine failure to reduce drag.

The crew issued their first "Mayday" call and notified the control tower of an engine flameout at 10:53:34 a.m. Two more warnings that the plane would stall sounded shortly afterwards.

Things then went quickly out of control. The crew said the an engine had restarted just before another loss of speed warning. A master warning occurred at 10:54:34 a.m. and an unidentified noise was recorded, Wang said. Two seconds later the plane crashed to the river and both the flight data recorders stopped working.

At least 35 people, including 25 tourists from the Chinese mainland, died when the plane bound for Taiwan's Kinmen Island, crashed into the Keelung River in downtown Taipei. Seven passengers and one flight attendant are still missing two days after the tragedy. Fifteen people survived the crash.

The ATR72-600 aircraft was less than a year old but had a history of engine problems.

A more substantial report will be released within the next 30 days, ahead of the publication of a final report in the next three to six months.

The pilot, Liao Chien-tsung, had 4,914 flying hours under his belt and the co-pilot 6,922 hours. Both died in the crash.

Taiwan's aviation regulator has ordered TransAir to carry out extra oral and written training and tests among the 71 pilots of its ATR fleet within the next three to four days. Those who fail the tests will be suspended from flying.