PC12, vicinity Meekatharra WA Australia, 2016

PC12, vicinity Meekatharra WA Australia, 2016

Summary

On 18 June 2016, a PC12 crew experienced a sudden corruption of the SVS image on their PFDs soon after a night take-off and the Pilot Flying initially reacted by increasing pitch in response to the false image which had obscured the primary flight path symbology on the PFD. Recovery was achieved before the resulting airspeed drop had activated the Stall Protection System by the pilots transferring their attention to the Standby Instrument Display. The Investigation noted that the SVS was not certified for primary flight path control but that the failure had created temporary spatial disorientation.

Description

On 18 June 2016, the two-man crew of a Pilatus PC12 (VH-OWA) being operated on a medical retrieval flight from Meekatharra to Paraburdoo in Western Australia by an unspecified operator in night VMC with line training in progress and one passenger on board observed a sudden change in the SVS image on both their PFDs soon after take-off. This included the depiction of the ground rising to meet the altitude of the aircraft without any related alerting. The Pilot Flying initially responded to this with a sudden increase in pitch, but after an alert from the other pilot he restored normal pitch. A normal SVS presentation returned as the aircraft continued to climb.

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