DH8D, en-route, north of Plymouth UK, 2019

DH8D, en-route, north of Plymouth UK, 2019

Summary

On 14 November 2019, a Bombardier DHC8-400 experienced roll control difficulties after takeoff. These were manageable but it was decided a precautionary diversion should be made and this was accomplished without any significant roll control difficulty. The Investigation found that the right wing aileron control cable had failed due to undetected wear and that an option to fit an upgraded cable had not been taken. It also found the aircraft had a history of an intermittently unresponsive right aileron and discovered that signal noise filters which smoothed recorded data for all three primary flight control channels compromised FDR data value.

Description

On 14 November 2019, a Bombardier DHC8-400 (G-FLBE) being operated by Flybe on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Newquay to London Heathrow experienced roll control difficulties soon after takeoff in night VMC. On levelling at FL200, the issues were reviewed and it was decided to declare a ‘PAN’ and make a precautionary diversion to Exeter and this was then accomplished without significant worsening of the problem. 

Investigation

After a delay in notification of the event, a Field Investigation was carried by the UK AAIB. Relevant FDR data was available but relevant data from the 2 hour CVR was overwritten because it had not been electrically isolated after the aircraft arrived at Exeter. It was noted that the 51 year-old Captain had a total of 8,778 hours flying experience including 5,257 hours on type. The First Officer had recently been employed by the operator as a direct entry Captain and was required by their procedures to complete three months as a First Officer before transitioning to command status. 

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