Originally Posted by GlueBall
So, during the landing, flare and touchdown of this Fly By Wire A320 [where thrust levers are just "switches"] would your right hand be resting on your knee, or on the thrust levers. . . ? Or is this procedure altogether more complex than just that on the A320...?
Funny enough, early Airbus thinking (as confirmed by one very early operator
here) was to do without thrust levers and replace them by … Push-Buttons !
But when you look at the following events, there are very serious questions to be asked :
Philippines
1998
One thrust reverser was deactivated before the flight.
Crew failed to retard one thrust lever upon landing.
The A320 continued past the runway end.
Taiwan
2004
One thrust reverser was deactivated before the flight.
Crew failed to retard one thrust lever upon landing.
The A320 continued past the runway end.
Brazil
2007
One thrust reverser was deactivated before the flight.
Crew failed to retard one thrust lever upon landing.
The A320 continued past the runway end.
Those are only the
known cases that ended up with an accident.
Are there any other cases but with no bended aluminum at the end … I don’t know.
- Does it mean other types don’t fly with a deactivated thrust reverser ?
- Does it mean crews on other types are better trained for flying with a deactivated thrust reverser ?
- Does it mean something in the A320 overall philosophy could insidiously facilitate that kind of situation ?
Pick up your own answer …
All I can say to Airbus FBW crews : Watch yourself, because Congonhas won’t be the last event of that specific type.