AT76, en route, west-southwest of Sydney Australia, 2014

AT76, en route, west-southwest of Sydney Australia, 2014

Summary

On 20 February 2014, an ATR 72-600 crew mishandled their response to an intended airspeed adjustment whilst using VS mode during descent to Sydney and an upset involving opposite control inputs from the pilots caused an elevator disconnect. The senior cabin attendant sustained serious injury. After recovery of control, the flight was completed without further event. Post flight inspection did not discover damage to the aircraft which exceeded limit and ultimate loads on the stabilisers and the aircraft remained in service for a further five days until it was grounded for replacement of both horizontal and vertical stabilisers.

Description

On 20 February 2014, the crew of an ATR 72-600 (VH-FVR) being operated by Virgin Australia Regional Airlines on a scheduled passenger flight from Canberra to Sydney experienced an in-flight upset during descent in day VMC involving a pitch control disconnect and serious injury to the senior cabin attendant. Following recovery, the remainder of the flight proceeded without further event. Following flight completion, extensive damage to the aircraft was not discovered and it continued in service for a further five days before being grounded.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). FDR and CVR data was successfully downloaded and used in the Investigation and equivalent QAR data was made available to the aircraft manufacturer.

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