Open Skies Safety Department Investigation Outcome
Open Skies completed the RTO investigation.
The crew rejected the take off at 21 kts below Vee one due to incorrect setting of flap one instead of flap 5. The F/O set flap 1 in the after start set up and this was not discovered by the Captain during the before taxi checklist, and again both pilots missed it during the before takeoff checklist. The error was only discovered during take-off. Then, the crew did not properly check brake cooling times and were preparing for another take off when they were advised of smoke from gear. The crew only became aware of the problem when the aircraft behind in the taxi queue for the second take off attempt called that he could see smoke from the gear. They cleared the taxiway and then 6 wheels deflated so the crew decided not to try another take off!
The crew were questioned for poor use of two checklists, crosschecks and the decisions for preparing to make another take off inside the brakes cool down time. Open Skies management was questioned about the poor introduction of a new SOP and for then issuing a 150 page amendment a month after bringing the new Ryanair style procedures into use. It was questioned if the new procedures may have given the crew confusion from the old procedures but the Flaps checking procedure was considered clear.
After completion of the investigation Open Skies chiefs decided the Captain of the RTO aircraft would keep his job as a Captain and stay as Deputy Head of Training. The F/O will also kept his job as Deputy Director of Flight Operations. The F/O involved also passed his command assessment with the same Captain the week before the RTO (he was one of only 2 of 14 F/O’s that pass the assessment). He will still be promoted in January. Both pilots received additional simulator training in the use of the flap lever and checklist, but no other action was taken against the crew.
The RTO happened at a time of much discontent over pay, contracts, procedures and allegations of heavy handed tactics by the (ex Ryanair) DFO, big issues and big distractions for the pilots. The RTO, all the distractions and the survival of the DFO’s two most senior manager’s has raised big credibility issues for the flight operations department both inside the company. Only last week managers were called into question again after an unsecured cart ran out of control along the complete length of a B757 cabin smashing into an open flight deck door during landing. This will be a separate topic.
battered BA subsidiary’s problems. The CEO recently sent an internal memo about direct entry captains joining from BA next month. It stated Open Skies was not making a profit. After almost 3 years, how much longer can the subsidiary survive?