Wino,
You are quite wrong in that statement.
If there was 6 inches of displacement of the rudder pedal, then the problem with 587 was the aircraft, not the pilot.
You are correct I understated the recorded movement of the rudder pedal, page 6 figure 1 of the NTSB report pedal position inches shows
over 6 inches of movement,
thank you for pointing that out to me.
What was really recorded was that not once did the pedals move more than 1 inch! from a control input point of view with the aircraft not behaving as you would expect, its a guarantee of confusion.
Please refer to the NTSB report, page 6 figure 1, FDR of the pedal
position at 09:15:57, over 2 inches left, 09:16:01 4 inches right, total
displacement over 6 inches.
The graph above shows the wheel position in degrees which varied twice from 80 degrees left to over 60 degrees right in a
10 second period. There were 10 control wheel movements through the neutral position within 10 seconds. Similarly, five rudder inputs through neutral in 10 seconds.
I would suggest airmanship dictates not to even attempt a control check with such rapid movement on the ground, and that’s when they are aerodynamically unloaded.
For coordinated control inputs the number of times through neutral would the same, for example at 09:15:54,5 shows 30 degrees of left wheel position, and 1,8 inches of right rudder position.
Flight Safety,
From Aibus to operators ... this OIT had ten (10) photographs attached.
FROM : AIRBUS CUSTOMER SERVICES TOULOUSE TX530526F
TO : ALL
A300/A310/A300-600/A319/A320/A321/A330/A340/A318/A340-500/A340-600 OPERATORS
OPERATOR INFORMATION TELEX - OPERATOR INFORMATION TELEX
Subject : Incident - Loss of Rudder Surface In-Flight
OIT classification : Information
Aircraft affected : A310
OUR REF.: SE 999.0017/05/AB dated 08 March 2005
1. Purpose :
The purpose of this OIT is to provide operators with first
details about the loss of a rudder surface during flight and to
give information on the actions taken by Airbus.
2. Event description :
An operator has reported the following incident on an A310-308.
On Sunday 6th March 2005, after departure from Varadero (Cuba),
in cruise at 35000 feet, the crew reported that a loud bang was
heard. The pilot took manual control and returned to land safely
at Varadero.
Visual inspection after landing revealed that a large part of
the rudder surface was missing. A portion of the rudder
structure remained attached between the lower hinge and the
three servo-control attachment points.
There were no injuries reported to passengers, crew or on the
ground.
3. Status :
At this time very few details and no detailed inspection reports
have been received. The event will be subject to a formal
investigation involving the Canadian and French Investigating
Boards. Airbus has sent a team of specialists to Varadero to
assist the authorities with their investigation.
4. Further action :
Based on the information we will receive, appropriate action
plan will be defined and operators informed accordingly.
5. Follow-up :
Follow-up of this OIT will be provided when further details
become available, or in any case not later than 16th March 2005.
My understanding is that a replacement rudder is now being fitted.