Virgin Australia Boeing 777 dirty dive at Melbourne 34
Latest Flight International has a report on a Virgin Australia Boeing 777 doing an unexpectedly rapid descent on autopilot and low level approach to Melbourne Runway 34. The media report said the ATSB inquiry will focus on how data was incorrectly inserted into the FMC and remained undetected.
Rather than hang the crew on incorrect data input that occurred earlier in the cruise, it would be more beneficial if ATSB focused on why the company SOP emphasis to stick with the autopilot until the last few seconds of a visual approach, led to a potentially critical situation. Surely it is not that hard to hand fly a 777 on a visual approach from over Essendon to touch down on Melbourne 34 without resorting to heads down on automatics until the last minute. Talk about company induced automation dependency. No wonder airline pilots are reputed to be losing basic handling skills.
Perhaps VA management and also ATSB could learn something useful about automation dependency by attending the USA conference on the Asiana 777 accident. See below.
WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board is conveninga 2-day investigative hearing to discuss the ongoing investigation into the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 and to gather additional factual information. The hearing, which will be held December 10-11, 2013, at the NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, DC, will focus on pilot awareness in highly automated aircraft, emergency response, and cabin safety. Parties participating in the investigative hearing will be announced at a later time.
Last edited by sheppey; 25th Oct 2013 at 12:26.