Bizarre Go-Arounds
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Guiones,
Guess you haven't flown an airbus, on don't have many hours on it then. I've seen it do many weird stuff throughout the years (drawing a circle when entering a "direct to", completely disregarding the speed bracket limits during descent for no reason, etc.)
Two possibilities, either you do not know what is going on; or those FMGS's need to be sent to Honeywell or Thales by your airline for investigation. No middle ground.
Airbuses do not have their own mind, they either do what you program them to do or what they are designed to do, if not; need to fix it. No ghosts here.
Airbuses do not have their own mind, they either do what you program them to do or what they are designed to do, if not; need to fix it. No ghosts here.
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There were certainly two uncommanded go-arounds I knew of. I think it was an A321 that did it to me at Heathrow, landing 09L. When I asked what was happening the crew said something like "We're not sure, it wasn't us it was the aircraft". I heard that at Gatwick an L-1011 went round on touch-down with a baffled crew.. Needless to say, these incidents were long ago..
However, here are two bizarre go-arounds with the same aircraft - a clockwork mouse Cessna 310 on a SVFR flight. Having been cleared to land the aircraft went round, the plot explaining that it wasn't correctly configured. It came back 10 minutes later and went round again... pilot said he had the speed wrong. Tower controller gave go-around instructions, told the pilot to contact the SVFR Director and said, emphatically: "And don't come back until you can fly that thing". We never saw it again!!!!!
However, here are two bizarre go-arounds with the same aircraft - a clockwork mouse Cessna 310 on a SVFR flight. Having been cleared to land the aircraft went round, the plot explaining that it wasn't correctly configured. It came back 10 minutes later and went round again... pilot said he had the speed wrong. Tower controller gave go-around instructions, told the pilot to contact the SVFR Director and said, emphatically: "And don't come back until you can fly that thing". We never saw it again!!!!!
the lunatic fringe
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"We hit the TOGA button by mistake" is the best one I've ever had. Although, apparently, it's more common than you'd think.
On the 767/757, I believe, they are the other way around. So even more opportunity for chaos.
Only half a speed-brake
When the A320 predictive windshear system issues a warning during approach, the cockpit aural alert is "GO AROUND, WINDSHEAR AHEAD".
FD (the un-real)
FD (the un-real)
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Going back a few years I had an 'interesting' day at the office. Despite a weather forecast to the contrary, we began with two missed approaches at GLA, due to a lack of runway being visible at DH (Cat 3A) and this was followed by a diversion to NCL. Their radar was broken (or something like that) and the ILS was knackered, so we were cleared for a procedural VOR. Having thrown charts round the flight deck and eventually managing to cobble together the approach we were rewarded with a lovely view of the runway and, with the go juice now being a little less than I'd normally like, I thought our day was finally at an end and began to sigh a little, as all was well again in the world. No! 'XXX, go around, there's a load of deer on the runway'.
Fortunately the Geordies did a good job of scaring the venison away and I think we would have won the award for quickest VOR approach ever flown, whilst trying to pretend the fuel tank numbers were higher than they actually were. If this had been in the simulator I think I wouldn't have been too surprised but whoever came up with that scenario was having a bit of a larf
Fortunately the Geordies did a good job of scaring the venison away and I think we would have won the award for quickest VOR approach ever flown, whilst trying to pretend the fuel tank numbers were higher than they actually were. If this had been in the simulator I think I wouldn't have been too surprised but whoever came up with that scenario was having a bit of a larf
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When the A320 predictive windshear system issues a warning during approach, the cockpit aural alert is "GO AROUND, WINDSHEAR AHEAD".
FD (the un-real)
FD (the un-real)
Mistakes people make on the airbus are for example not activating the approach, which means that in managed mode the a/c will not fly the approach speed but would accelarate to probably 250 knts when you change from selected to managed. The engines will spool up and the pilots maybe surprised.
Or pilots have a lower altitude selected (platform altitude) when they are not on the glideslope yet. The airplane will level off at this altitude also causing the engines to spool up.
I have been a few years now on the airbus and I have never seen it "having a mind of its own". If it would it should be investigated and if the outcome is that it was airplane related and not pilots the airplane should be grounded and the problem fixed. Offcourse you never here anything official about it so my conclusion is "wrong pilot input".
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Light aircraft on approach to the short runway at an airfield in Scotland had to overshoot (that's what it was called then) because of a small pet dog running across the runway.....closely chased by its owner, who just happened to be an ATC Supervisor.
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40 years ago at Wick and a very young Cadet on Highland and Islands detachment following unit endorsement at Glasgow.
In those days runway 31 had a road crossing not far from the threshold. The road only served the nearby lighthouse so wasn't exactly busy but then neither was the airfield! However, when they built the new fire station it obstructed the view of the crossing from the tower. At this distance in time I can't remember the procedure for switching on the traffic lights but I assume it involved a 'phone call to the fire watch room to check the crossing was clear. I do remember the lights were always switched on in plenty of time, after all it wasn't as if we were going to be holding up massive queues of traffic heading out to the lighthouse.
Anyway, beautiful day; BEA Viscount on finals; crossing checked and lights on; Viscount cleared to land. Some little time later the fire station line rings.
"Do you know you have an old boy walking across your runway?"
"No I don't. How far across is he?"
There was a muffled crash as the handset was placed on the desk, then the sound of 4 or 5 measured footsteps across to the window, a lengthy pause and then more measured steps back, a rattle as the handset was picked up again and the reply-
"Not far enough."
"Bealine (whatever it was) overshoot, I say again overshoot."
In retrospect I'm sure the pilot must have seen the pedestrian; it was a gin clear day after all, so I suspect he was thinking of having a bit of sport and was intending to overfly the chap and then land a tad long. As it was he didn't exactly break any climbing records until he had overflown the crossing and then climbed to position himself for a visual circuit.
The fire service despatched a van to apprehend the walker in the middle of the runway and point out the error of his ways but the firemen were quite taken aback when the old boy demanded to know to whom he could complain as-
"Yon 'plane almost ran me down!"
Ah, the delights of H&I.
In those days runway 31 had a road crossing not far from the threshold. The road only served the nearby lighthouse so wasn't exactly busy but then neither was the airfield! However, when they built the new fire station it obstructed the view of the crossing from the tower. At this distance in time I can't remember the procedure for switching on the traffic lights but I assume it involved a 'phone call to the fire watch room to check the crossing was clear. I do remember the lights were always switched on in plenty of time, after all it wasn't as if we were going to be holding up massive queues of traffic heading out to the lighthouse.
Anyway, beautiful day; BEA Viscount on finals; crossing checked and lights on; Viscount cleared to land. Some little time later the fire station line rings.
"Do you know you have an old boy walking across your runway?"
"No I don't. How far across is he?"
There was a muffled crash as the handset was placed on the desk, then the sound of 4 or 5 measured footsteps across to the window, a lengthy pause and then more measured steps back, a rattle as the handset was picked up again and the reply-
"Not far enough."
"Bealine (whatever it was) overshoot, I say again overshoot."
In retrospect I'm sure the pilot must have seen the pedestrian; it was a gin clear day after all, so I suspect he was thinking of having a bit of sport and was intending to overfly the chap and then land a tad long. As it was he didn't exactly break any climbing records until he had overflown the crossing and then climbed to position himself for a visual circuit.
The fire service despatched a van to apprehend the walker in the middle of the runway and point out the error of his ways but the firemen were quite taken aback when the old boy demanded to know to whom he could complain as-
"Yon 'plane almost ran me down!"
Ah, the delights of H&I.
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Loved it, Arthur! What did the Viscount chap say, I wonder.
Where I worked in my early days a colleague lined up a Coronado in front of a landing BEA Viscount... and it wouldn't roll so the Viscount went round. Later that evening at one party or another, the Viscount crew arrived.. "Where's the b**** who overshot us today?" said Captain Bert Orris. "Over there", we all chimed... Whereupon Bert grabbed the offending ATCO, who was older than Bert but with probably similar wartime lunatic tendencies, by the throat and threatened him with instant death if it happened again!!! Seconds later they wre screaming with hysterics and downing beers.. Oh happy days...
Wonder if Bert is still about?
Where I worked in my early days a colleague lined up a Coronado in front of a landing BEA Viscount... and it wouldn't roll so the Viscount went round. Later that evening at one party or another, the Viscount crew arrived.. "Where's the b**** who overshot us today?" said Captain Bert Orris. "Over there", we all chimed... Whereupon Bert grabbed the offending ATCO, who was older than Bert but with probably similar wartime lunatic tendencies, by the throat and threatened him with instant death if it happened again!!! Seconds later they wre screaming with hysterics and downing beers.. Oh happy days...
Wonder if Bert is still about?
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Hi Bren
If I remember correctly he did ask the reason for the overshoot (I suspect that was a bit of play acting as I'm sure he saw the guy) and when I replied "unauthorised pedestrian on runway" I think he muttered something along the lines of "should have let me land on the *******." but it was very quiet and garbled so I can't be sure!
If I remember correctly he did ask the reason for the overshoot (I suspect that was a bit of play acting as I'm sure he saw the guy) and when I replied "unauthorised pedestrian on runway" I think he muttered something along the lines of "should have let me land on the *******." but it was very quiet and garbled so I can't be sure!
More than just an ATCO
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At Abbotsinch on a Sunday morning (trainee) controller reading a newspaper when an inbound called and was told, "Cleared to land ,,,," Jock Ellis, the mentor, asked, "What about the steam-roller on the runway?" Without looking up from the NotW the trainee transmits "Bealine 123, overshoot; steamroller on the runway." Bealine, with perfect visibility, was not impressed and a very interesting telephone conversation followed after landing. Resulted in Jock having a Monday morning meeting with the Boss and the trainee suffering a fate worse than death at the hands of the McMaffia.
Wasn't you, was it Arthur?
Wasn't you, was it Arthur?
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Guiones,
Quote:
Two possibilities, either you do not know what is going on; or those FMGS's need to be sent to Honeywell or Thales by your airline for investigation. No middle ground.
Quote:
Two possibilities, either you do not know what is going on; or those FMGS's need to be sent to Honeywell or Thales by your airline for investigation. No middle ground.
Only half a speed-brake
Lighten up bobwi. I stand firmly with the (airbus) trash in - trash out brigade. My simple wink is that AB can actually tell you to go around. Indeed, if followed, this shall be correctly reported to ATC as a windshear alert. Even if one needs to describe the event later to more knowledgable people (a.k.a. the chief pilot), the words "the machine decided to go-around" are not semantically correct. Just as you say.
Yours,
FD (the un-real)
Yours,
FD (the un-real)
Last edited by FlightDetent; 9th Aug 2010 at 12:00.
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Was in the tower at EGPF one day when a Trident, which I had given landing clearnce to, announced that he was compelled to overshoot. Once safely on his way, I asked the pilot for the reason, and he said.
"You`re not going to believe this, but we`ve got an old lady stuck in the lavatory"
"You`re not going to believe this, but we`ve got an old lady stuck in the lavatory"
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Loki.. That was funny first time I heard it when it was a Viscount at Heathrow. The ATCO asked if she would be there from Monday to Saturday and the misery pilot complained!!!!!
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I had to "go around" in a light aircraft when I was in Canada as a chap who was going hunting decided to take a shortcut. He drove onto the runway and all the way down before turning off at the far end to shoot some animals.
I was on about a 1.5 mile final at the time.
Very bizarre.
I was on about a 1.5 mile final at the time.
Very bizarre.
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Heard the story of a chap in a solo watch tower who decided to get some horizontal rest under the console early one morning. Range check phone call from Approach (different building) woke the person with such a fright they hit their head on the console knocking themselves out. A/C on final got no reply from the tower frequency so commenced go around. The noise of the go around woke the controller who then knocked himself out on the console a second time. Rescue fire was summoned to the tower by approach who could not raise the controller and feared the worst.
Had a cat escape from the hold of an aircraft and lead security and rescue fire on a merry chase all over the aerodrome. The cat eventually went for cover under one of the fire appliances. One of the funniest sights to see with over ten pairs of legs poking out from under the fire appliance. The whole episode took over 15 minutes with several a/c sent around and put into holds I wonder what was said to the pax owner of the cat, and if they knew of the chaos on the other side.
Had a cat escape from the hold of an aircraft and lead security and rescue fire on a merry chase all over the aerodrome. The cat eventually went for cover under one of the fire appliances. One of the funniest sights to see with over ten pairs of legs poking out from under the fire appliance. The whole episode took over 15 minutes with several a/c sent around and put into holds I wonder what was said to the pax owner of the cat, and if they knew of the chaos on the other side.