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Old 11th Jun 2009, 13:17
  #1142 (permalink)  
Wytnucls
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Mauritius
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I have been wondering for a while now what could have caused the PRIM 1 and the SEC 1 to fail at the same time, at 02:13.
Losing two flight computers is not dramatic in itself as one computer is sufficient to control the aeroplane, although losing two at the same time is quite rare, in my experience.
Flight computers rely on feedback from the control surfaces to make sure the movement order was carried out, otherwise they go off-line and control gets transfered to the next computer in line.
The only control surface where both PRIM 1 and SEC 1 are in control at the same time (apart from spoilers) is the rudder:
SEC 1 at the PFTU (Artificial feel and rudder trim)
PRIM 1 at the rudder itself.
Incidentally, in Alternate Law 2, the BCM (Back Up Control Module) is also active, providing alternate yaw damping, but no turn coordination.
It is perhaps a long shot, but a rudder not responding to electrical orders may have tripped PRIM 1 and SEC 1 at the same time.
Your thoughts on this one?
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