Alpha Floor
This is dated 19 June 01 from HKG-IST.
Inadvertent flap selection led to alpha floor activation
While departing HKG on a Bream 3 SID, after passing 1500 feet climb thrust was set and the modes called, after which the PF requested "Pack 1 ON". The PNF inadvertently selected the flap up and the Alpha Floor activated.
After a momentary assessment Flap 1 was reselected and the climb and clean up carried out. The flight continued without further incident.
Comments by CSD
At the acceleration altitude (approximately 1600 ft) the PF called "Pack1 ON". He commented that he was expecting the "flaps" call. On hearing the call for "Pack 1 ON' he selected the flaps to "0" he selected the flaps to "0" without calling "speed checked". He selected Pack 1 and then Pack 2 to the ON position. On the Captains command he then selected the flap to 1. ATC communications were not a factor.
The F/O had recently completed his CCQ and this was his third or fourth long haul sector on the A340. It was approximately 5AM when his partner left for work and had not slept before commencing duty.
Findings
Non -adherence to SOP's- "Pack 1 ON" is not a standard call. The selection of the Packs to ON is automatically complete by the PNF following thrust reduction. The PNF did not call "speed checked" prior to retraction the flaps to "0"
The PNF, who was new to the A340 fleet, had been awake for 19 hours prior to departure.
The crew recovered from this incident well. The remainder of the flight was without incident.
QQOR data:
Time Event
1623:29 Climb Thrust selected
1623:34 Flap 0 was selected and the flaps and slats began to retract (CAS was 176 knots and S-speed was approximately 220 knots)
1623:49 Alpha Floor activation
1623:47 Slats fully retracted
1624:00 Flap 1 selected
1624:02 Alpha Floor mode changes to TOGA Lock
According to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, this is clearly not a safety issue.