GE provides the whole nacelle including the thrust reverser. The cascade thrust reverser is commonly used on turbofan engines. The MD-82 is permitted to fly with just one operable thrust reverser. Additionally, severed cables for the engine #3 thrust reverser were replaced. A thrust reverser deploying in flight might not have been survivable, anyway. The use of a thrust reverser enabled the sought short landing performance. Lauda said that the thrust reverser could not be the sole cause of the crash. NTSB investigators examined and tested the antiskid, autobrake, and thrust reverser systems on the aircraft. The TRA (Thrust Reverser Aft) structure for a life of 40,000 hours. The specific cause of the thrust reverser deployment has not been positively identified. Divers later found the thrust reverser on the bottom of the nearby Banana River. This is where the throttle and reverser are located. This type of reverser is visible at the rear of the engine during deployment. The cold stream reverser system is activated by an air motor. Examination of the reverser system found no evidence of malfunction.