Wirraway
30th Jan 2004, 01:09
Fri "The Australian"
Warning on airliner
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
January 30, 2004
AIR safety investigators yesterday renewed safety warnings about Saab 340 airliners after an inquiry into a near disaster over Bathurst confirmed that the plane had pitched downwards without warning and almost rolled on its back.
The pilots regained control only 112ft above the ground and went on to land the plane safely.
Ironman Grant Kenny, who is himself a pilot and was among the 32 passengers and crew on the Hazelton Airlines flight from Sydney on July 28, 2002, later described the incident as "one of the most frightening moments of my life".
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is worried that systems intended to warn pilots of a pending aerodynamic stall - where the aircraft no longer has enough lift to keep flying - failed to activate because of icy weather.
"The investigation found that it is possible for the (Saab 340) aircraft to stall prior to the activation of the stall warning if the aircraft has accumulated ice on the wings," its report says. The ATSB yesterday urged the manufacturer to modify the stall warning system of the worldwide fleet of Saab aircraft.
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Warning on airliner
By Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
January 30, 2004
AIR safety investigators yesterday renewed safety warnings about Saab 340 airliners after an inquiry into a near disaster over Bathurst confirmed that the plane had pitched downwards without warning and almost rolled on its back.
The pilots regained control only 112ft above the ground and went on to land the plane safely.
Ironman Grant Kenny, who is himself a pilot and was among the 32 passengers and crew on the Hazelton Airlines flight from Sydney on July 28, 2002, later described the incident as "one of the most frightening moments of my life".
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is worried that systems intended to warn pilots of a pending aerodynamic stall - where the aircraft no longer has enough lift to keep flying - failed to activate because of icy weather.
"The investigation found that it is possible for the (Saab 340) aircraft to stall prior to the activation of the stall warning if the aircraft has accumulated ice on the wings," its report says. The ATSB yesterday urged the manufacturer to modify the stall warning system of the worldwide fleet of Saab aircraft.
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