JD-EE:
Communications is the solution. (Actually, it solves an incredible lot of problems most people don't think of.)
When the auto-throttle and auto-pilot disconnect and Otto says meatware has the plane PF should start to execute the correct (UAS) drill AND PNF should start reading out the procedure to be checked off one by one. The PNF should call it out loud and clear. PF should repeat loud and clear.
JD-EE, you are spot on.
Communication
IS the solution : communication between pilots
AND communication between the plane and the crew.
What do we have (see BEA's #3 report page 29) :
- at 02:10:05 speeds are OK and Otto decides to quit (why ?) ;
- at 02:10:06 speeds are OK ; plane starts banking ; PF : "
I have control" ;
Wouldn't a 'bus pilot suspect some sort of FBW computer(s) malfunction and start "aviating" ?
- displayed speeds start to go wrong at 02:10:07 :
after the, so far unexplained, FBW malfunction. (Cause or consequence of the FBW malfunction ?)
Now look at pages 45 and 46 :
- page 45, BEA tries to make you think that the "NAV ADR DISAGREE" message came immediately after the "AUTO FLT AP OFF" message. This is not true. "NAV ADR DISAGREE" came in only at 02:12:XX (why XX ?)
- page 46, order of messages :
1) "AUTO FLT AP OFF" ;
2) "NAV ADR DISAGREE" suggesting "IF SPD DISAGREE -> ADR CHECK PROC... APPLY" ;
is only shown to the pilots at 02:12:XX when situation is already largely out of control.
Questions :
- why should the PF call for unreliable speed drill at 02:10:05 when Otto quits and speeds are OK ?
- in an event leading to AP disconnection, why is such a smart AP/FD system unable to maintain for a few seconds the average pitch of, say, the past 5 or 10", until the proper ECAM alert message is displayed ?
- am I the only one to think that the "NAV ADR DISAGREE" ; "IF SPD DISAGREE -> ADR CHECK PROC... APPLY" message displayed at 02:10:08
THEN Otto disconnection at 02:10:10 plus a stick shaker instead of an aural stall warning could have saved 228 lives that night ?
Better communications
and smarter design are solutions for a better flight safety.