Also, I believe the author's definition of the term "heavy" is erroneous. As far as I know that craft would still hold the "heavy" label fully loaded or empty with fuel.
You are correct - the author got it wrong. "Heavy" is an ATC label primarily used to categorize aircraft of a specified maximum take-off weight (
*) or greater that require increased separation standards, as well as to provide an audible cue alerting other pilots that an even larger wake turbulence-generating aircraft is nearby.
(
*) =
capable of takeoff weights of more than 255,000 pounds, as well as the Boeing 757, which is below this takeoff weight but unique in its ability to throw off massive wake turbulence. Just curious: was this site around when that incident happened? Where there any recordings like the ones they released already around?
No, this site was not around back when that accident occurred. From what I recall, the initial accident report only included the text of the the ATC/aircraft transcript.
I remember reading a discussion of the accident that had the pilots opted to land immediately rather than choose to dump fuel, they would most likely landed prior to the entertainment system-induced fire becoming incapacitating.