Preventing Tailstrike During Go-around Near the Ground
The focus of this article is go-around near the ground, sometimes called, “rejected landing”. This follows our previous article: “A Focus on the Landing Flare” article published September 2020 and “A Focus on the Takeoff Rotation” published January 2021. Those articles provided recommendations for avoiding tailstrikes when performing landing flare and takeoff rotation. There is […]
Closing MEL Items: Why Sooner is Better
It is not always possible to repair a system failure before the next flight. The MEL permits the dispatch of an aircraft with inoperative equipment or functions for a limited period of time, and under specific conditions, while maintaining an acceptable level of safety. Current in-service data shows an increase in the number of requests […]
Wake Vortices
All aircraft generate wake vortices, also known as wake turbulence, which continue to be evident far behind the generating aircraft. Another aircraft crossing this wake may feel a sharp and brief turbulence which can be strong under some circumstances. Let’s review the specific characteristics of wake vortices’ and how pilots should react in case of […]
Editorial – July 2024
by Yannick MALINGE – SVP – Head of Aviation Safety
Correct Cargo Door Seal Installation for Safe Operation
Incorrect installation of a cargo doors seal may lead to unsafe in-flight operations such as abnormal cabin pressurization or an ineffective cargo fire extinguishing system.This article recalls the essential steps of the AMM for correct cargo door seal installation, including the required inspection after installation.
Is it a Loss of Braking?
The LOSS OF BRAKING procedure memory items have to be applied in the extremely remote case of a failure of the braking system. In-service experience shows that inappropriate application of the LOSS OF BRAKING procedure may contribute to a risk of runway excursion. This article recalls the conditions to apply the LOSS OF BRAKING procedure […]
Bird or Hail Strikes on the Radome
Abnormal events such as bird strikes and hail strikes can occur at any time. When the aircraft is struck by birds or Foreign Object Debris (FOD), the correct inspection process must be followed, before the next flight, to determine if the aircraft is safe to fly.This article focuses on the effect that a bird or […]
Under the Spotlights
Two recent events with damage to the passenger windows of the aircraft were reported to Airbus. Similar events also happened on non-Airbus aircraft. The damage was caused by the heat of spotlights used during promotional filming sessions. One of these events could have had serious safety consequences as damage was not detected on ground, and […]
Editorial – January 2024
by Yannick MALINGE – SVP – Head of Aviation Safety
Inappropriate V/S Target during Autoflight Mode Reversion
Two cases of inappropriate V/S target during an autoflight reversion to V/S mode after a go-around were recently reported to Airbus. In both cases, the inappropriate V/S target resulted in a pitch down command of the autopilot with high thrust. The flight guidance used the previously selected V/S value set during the preceding ILS glide […]