Description

On 31 October 2012, an ATR42-500 being operated by Czech Airlines on an airworthiness function flight in day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) entered a full stall during a planned test of only the functioning of the Stall Protection System. Recovery was achieved from the resultant unusual attitude and again after a subsequent and similar full stall followed by a more effective recovery response, the remainder of the 85 minute function flight was completed without further event.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by a Commission established by the Czech Air Accident Investigation Institute (AAII). Recorded data relevant to the Investigation was recovered from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Quick Access Recorder.

It was established that the pilots for the flight were both qualified as Training Captains on the ATR42/72 with the pilot occupying the left hand seat acting as PF and the pilot occupying the right hand seat being designated as commander. The PF was operating under supervision as part of the training required to complete the Czech Airlines "Test Flight Qualification Course". It was all noted that there were "six other crew members" on board the aircraft but their roles as "crew members" were not stated, although it was noted that the incident flight was also the 'handover flight' to a new operator.