ATSB release report into Malaysian A330 Pitot covers left on....

[43Inches]

If you are going to comment on a report at least read the report;

In interview with the ATSB, the captain did not recall seeing pitot probe covers. Based on the captain’s walk-around path, torch use (particularly dwell time on check items), and total time taken, the ATSB assessed the captain’s walk-around as having omitted many of the required check items and was conducted without due attention (see Flight crew pre-flight walk-around for the occurrence flight).

There is even a picture of him shining a torch on the pitot covers in question during the walk around, taken from security cameras.

Which is why the earlier comments that the captain should maybe undertake some eye tests.

And before the box in the cockpit is mentioned again, or some sort of checklist that the pilots missed, Malaysian doesn't carry pitot covers in the aircraft, the offending items were provided by a third party ground org.

[Uplinker]

Originally Posted by morno

The Airbus already has a line in its before start checklist, “Gear Pins and Covers….. Removed”.

Like any checklist, unless it’s done properly, it merely becomes a response to get you to the next stage of flight. I don’t see how adding anything extra to a checklist is going to improve anything in this instance..

Yes, I know, but it is too general - we have had aircraft taking off with the engine cowls unlocked, and this one with all the pitot covers on. Pilots need to be aware of the importance of checks and checklists, not just pay lip service. (I have had the response, "full left" when I have been holding full right, during the control checks, because I deliberately do them in a different order to make sure we both are really checking properly, not just vocalising the expected answer).

If this airport has a particular problem requiring covers to be left on until immediately before pushback, then extra checks obviously need to be introduced. The pitot covers should be shown to the pilots as well as the steering pin before taxi?


(BTW, apologies, I did not realise this was an incident from 2018. Could anyone who flies there report if any new procedures are in place?

[tossbag]

I did not realise this was an incident from 2018

Sorry bro, that's how we roll down here, you know, primacy and recency and all that jazz. Why produce a contemporary report to be learnt from in a reasonable amount of time. Yes, given that you can always learn from a lesson like this one, just leave it 4 years for the fix.

[WHBM]

There are some excellent euphemisms in the report, which I will find opportunity to use when appropriate elsewhere. I particularly like "due to reduced diligence". What a put-down !