Originally Posted by
pinkpanther1
For takeoff the Flight director in the Q400 is set with the Vertical Mode ; GA (Go around) and the lateral mode HDG SEL (heading select). Further the assigned altitude for departure is entered with the ALT SEL (alt select) mode armed. In the Flybe case the crew forgot to input the assigned altitude and left it at 0ft. When they armed ALT SEL the flight director captured the assigned altitude of 0ft (as the aircraft was already at approx 0ft) This meant the vertical mode was in ALT. (i.e. the autopilot had been programmed to maintain 0ft. When the autopilot was engaged after takeoff at around 1600ft the flight director pitched down to returned to its assigned level of 0ft. This comes down to basic mode awareness of what the flight director is commanding given the stage of flight.
How at the moment of engagement does the flight crew not note the immediate nose down movement and disconnect the autopilot within 1 to 2 seconds. Basic airmanship dictates that any time a flight mode change is engaged or activated you verify the desired result is achieved.