Posted on 08/17/2013 5:15:47 PM PDT by BunnySlippers
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - The UPS cargo jet that crashed in Alabama this week, killing its two crew members, was flying on autopilot until seconds before impact, even after an alert that it was descending too quickly, authorities said on Saturday
"The autopilot was engaged until the last second of recorded data," said Robert Sumwalt, a senior official with the National Transportation Safety Board.
(Excerpt) Read more at ca.news.yahoo.com ...
Sounds like the AP logic/math needs to be reviewed.
Problem: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough. Solution: Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
Problem: Something loose in cockpit. Solution: Something tightened in cockpit.
Problem: Dead bugs on windshield. Solution: Live bugs on backorder.
Problem: Number 3 engine missing. Solution: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
Problem: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-fpm descent. Solution: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
Problem: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. Solution: Evidence removed.
Problem: DME volume unbelievably loud. Solution: Volume set to more believable level.
Problem: Noise coming from #2 engine. Sounds like man with little hammer. Solution: Took little hammer away from man in #2 engine.
Problem: Whining noise coming from #2 engine compartment. Solution: Returned little hammer to man in #2 engine.
Problem: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. Solution: Thats what they are there for!
Problem: IFF inoperative. Solution: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
Problem: Suspected crack in windscreen. Solution: Suspect youre right.
Problem: Aircraft handles funny. Solution: Aircraft warned to Straighten up, Fly right, and Be Serious.
Problem: Unfamiliar noise coming from #2 engine. Solution: Engine run for four hours. Noise now familiar.
Problem: Mouse in cockpit. Solution: Cat installed.
Don’t any of these ATR rates fly their approaches anymore?
There goes my "windshear" theory replaced with "autopilot engaged, pilots brain disengaged" theory. between this and asiana what's up with otherwise smart people making mind numbingly stupid mistakes with hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment (and peoples lives)?
CC
That’s pretty funny. We’re you ever a maintenance Master Chief in a P-3 squadron??
Years ago, before the A-300 received its airworthiness approval one flew into the trees, on autopilot, at the end of a runway in France. Completely over flew the runway and the auto pilot would not relinquish controls to the pilots. That crash was also fatal. This sounds like AP software failure too.
Don’t think density altitude had anything to do with it. One report was the plane was on fire before it hit. DA deals with high elevations and high temps and humidity. Birmingham is at 600 feet.
Didn’t thing those things landed themselves.
It’s good to know exactly where the ground is when landing.
You would figure that
Pilots in the pointy end
Would pay attention.
‘Cause no matter what,
If there is an accident,
They will get there first.
Asian pilots?
The data recorder will tell a lot plus whatever the CVR will reveal.
It took 10 posts......disappointing.
The new 777s cockpits are so small, they were designed for only one pilot and a dog. The dog is there to bite the pilot if he touches anything.
Sooo sad when UPS jet goes DOWNS!
Now THAT is scary.
While both UPS and FedEx have increasingly purchased new aircraft, they also have a history of sometimes buying aircraft near the end of their life cycle. Some of the first aircraft that FedEx bought (727-100’s from LAN Chile and DC-10-10’s from the original Continental) were pretty exciting rides.
I wonder how old the A300 was. IIRC, UPS did not buy any A300s when they were in production.
That accident was an A-320- a totally different aircraft. The A-300 is not fly-by-wire like all subsequent Airbus aircraft.
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