The Controls DONT WORK!! Airbus Computer Nightmare

Summary

During a routine Airbus A320 type rating training in Estonia, a series of minor technical issues led to a catastrophic failure of the fly-by-wire system. With the aircraft uncontrollable, the pilots struggled to maintain control during takeoff, experiencing violent pitch oscillations. Despite multiple system failures and an engine fire, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely after declaring an emergency. The investigation revealed inadequate training and guidance as contributing factors. Airbus and the airline implemented software improvements and more rigorous procedures to prevent similar occurrences.

Takeaways

• 😲 The video describes an incident during Airbus A320 type-rating training involving multiple computer failures leading to loss of control.
• 👨‍✈️ Four pilot trainees were completing required training to fly the A320 commercially in Europe with an experienced instructor.
• ✈️ During touch-and-go maneuvers, intermittent trim wheel issues caused computer failures dropping the aircraft into alternate control laws.
• 🛠 The captain repeatedly reset the computers but mistakes led to hidden failures reducing redundancy.
• ⛔ On the final takeoff, all computers failed due to a bounce triggering the aircraft into mechanical backup pitch mode.
• 😨 With pitch controls inoperative, the aircraft crashed during the takeoff run with gear retracting but miraculously became airborne again.
• 😰 The pilots struggled to control the crippled aircraft not designed for manual trim-only flight nearly leading to a catastrophic crash.
• 👍🏻 The safety pilot intervened enabling the captain to regain marginal control and land the aircraft safely with no fatalities.
• 📝 Airbus and the airline updated manuals and software to improve guidance for pilots and prevent similar hidden computer failures.
• 💪🏻 Despite an unprecedented emergency far beyond training, the pilots' skill and resilience saved the aircraft from disaster.

Q & A

What type of aircraft was involved in the incident?

The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320-200 operated by SmartLynx Airlines.

What was the purpose of the flight?

The flight was conducting touch-and-go landings as part of base training for new Airbus A320 pilots.

What triggered the loss of the flight control computers?

A small bounce during landing led to a discrepancy between the ground and air mode logic in the flight control computers, causing them to fail.

What is mechanical backup mode?

Mechanical backup is a degraded control law where pitch is controlled only through trim and thrust levers, with no elevator authority.

How did the pilots regain control of the aircraft?

The safety pilot identified the manual pitch trim only condition, allowing the captain to control pitch using just the trim wheel.

What allowed the aircraft to keep flying after both engines failed?

The ram air turbine deployed to provide hydraulic pressure. One engine may have continued to windmill, powering the hydraulics as well.

How much experience did the instructor pilot have?

The instructor captain had over 24,000 flight hours, including 13,500 on the A320.

What was the outcome of the incident?

The aircraft landed hard but intact, with no fatalities. All four pilots and the CAA inspector survived.

What changes resulted from the investigation?

Airbus and SmartLynx updated procedures and checklists. Resetting computers inflight is now prohibited.

Could this accident have been prevented?

Better training guidance and following standard callouts may have prevented the cascading failures.