Virgin auto throttle - notepad - fuel control switch oopsie
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It twasn't me but I do know the captain and he is still shocked to this day that it happened. He was a very prof operator. IIRC all that could be assumed was that the fuel switch was left sitting on the gate lug and eventually was bumped off an hour or so into the flight. We were reminded that the FCOM said "jiggle it to make sure it is locked on".
There was also the case of the AFM (now that is studying!) taking a swan dive off the coaming panel, bumping off (I think) one of TDRacer's worn-out fuel switches. Switch guards were designed and fitted pronto after that.
There was also the case of the AFM (now that is studying!) taking a swan dive off the coaming panel, bumping off (I think) one of TDRacer's worn-out fuel switches. Switch guards were designed and fitted pronto after that.
TDR? TLA?
Delta had a double engine shutdown on a B717 due to an EFB on the fuel levers. They were aware of the issue Cobham had but didn’t implement the mod (cover) that Cobham did post their event.
The opposite can happen.
A320 pulled up at the gate. #1 start lever jammed. No rearward movement. Would not shut down.
Head scratching and discussion ensuing as to best course of subsequent action when the eagle eyed jump seater noticed a small difference between the two levers.
Close investigation revealed a tiny stone had wedged itself on the rear side of the lever (effectively invisible to the flight crew) preventing movement.
Likely source was the tread of a jump seater’s shoe on the rear of the centre console and rattling into the depression behind the lever.
A320 pulled up at the gate. #1 start lever jammed. No rearward movement. Would not shut down.
Head scratching and discussion ensuing as to best course of subsequent action when the eagle eyed jump seater noticed a small difference between the two levers.
Close investigation revealed a tiny stone had wedged itself on the rear side of the lever (effectively invisible to the flight crew) preventing movement.
Likely source was the tread of a jump seater’s shoe on the rear of the centre console and rattling into the depression behind the lever.
Delta had a double engine shutdown on a B717
Many moons ago, a squadron which will remain nameless operated a triple-engined aircraft of a type which will remain nameless. The centre console of the type includes an emergency leading edge slats extension switch.
On returning to the cockpit after a comfort break during cruising flight, the pilot - who will remain nameless - caught the toe of his shoe on that switch while climbing back into 0A.
The aircraft slowed, quite quickly. Disconcerting for POB. Not good for the leading edge slats to be extended at cruise speed.
After that, one of those rocket switch safety covers was retrofitted to the fleet.
On returning to the cockpit after a comfort break during cruising flight, the pilot - who will remain nameless - caught the toe of his shoe on that switch while climbing back into 0A.
The aircraft slowed, quite quickly. Disconcerting for POB. Not good for the leading edge slats to be extended at cruise speed.
After that, one of those rocket switch safety covers was retrofitted to the fleet.
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Many moons ago, a squadron which will remain nameless operated a triple-engined aircraft of a type which will remain nameless. The centre console of the type includes an emergency leading edge slats extension switch.
On returning to the cockpit after a comfort break during cruising flight, the pilot - who will remain nameless - caught the toe of his shoe on that switch while climbing back into 0A.
The aircraft slowed, quite quickly. Disconcerting for POB. Not good for the leading edge slats to be extended at cruise speed.
After that, one of those rocket switch safety covers was retrofitted to the fleet.
On returning to the cockpit after a comfort break during cruising flight, the pilot - who will remain nameless - caught the toe of his shoe on that switch while climbing back into 0A.
The aircraft slowed, quite quickly. Disconcerting for POB. Not good for the leading edge slats to be extended at cruise speed.
After that, one of those rocket switch safety covers was retrofitted to the fleet.
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My recollection of what a friend of a friend said he heard someone say, in an ablution facility after the event, is that there was a circa USD6,000 per aircraft modification kit issued after the event, which kit included the safety covered switch and wiring to replace the original switch. So, according to what the friend of the friend overheard, it was not as simple as rotating an existing safety cover.
But only the people who were there will know the truth.
But only the people who were there will know the truth.
My recollection of what a friend of a friend said he heard someone say, in an ablution facility after the event, is that there was a circa USD6,000 per aircraft modification kit issued after the event, which kit included the safety covered switch and wiring to replace the original switch. So, according to what the friend of the friend overheard, it was not as simple as rotating an existing safety cover.
But only the people who were there will know the truth.
But only the people who were there will know the truth.
multiple teams of experts to have meetings to approve, then having them submit to some higher authority to approve, then raising manual amendments via some convoluted process, plus maintenance personnel and pilot retraining etc. Can't be seen to do it on the cheap.
Last edited by Mach E Avelli; 20th Jul 2023 at 10:36.
True.
But that wouldn't explain why the modification kit, mentioned by the someone overheard by my friend of a friend in the ablution facility, contained components that had to be retrofitted to the aircraft.
I suppose we're never likely to hear from anyone with first-hand knowledge of the truth.
But that wouldn't explain why the modification kit, mentioned by the someone overheard by my friend of a friend in the ablution facility, contained components that had to be retrofitted to the aircraft.
I suppose we're never likely to hear from anyone with first-hand knowledge of the truth.
One great fix I saw was on a fleet of Pommy Vickers Viscounts. The stopwatch was prone to breakage by fat fingered pilots, so some engineer fitted clockwork egg timers to the panels. It was better than the stopwatch because even the totally mechanically challenged could work it, and a bell rang. Very useful for holding patterns and fuel crossfeeding. Somehow I don't think it was CAA approved.
Then there was the B732 crew who decided to 're rack' a radar screen which in those old clunkers lived between the throttles and centre panel. They were on descent with the throttles at near idle. They got the radar box jammed half way & couldn't get the throttles forward for approach. Somewhat panicked, they demolished the stuck radar box with the crash axe to get it free.
Worth a DCM, that one.
Worth a DCM, that one.
It’s possible it was a BAC 1-11 because the radar was similarly located. Also, the incident was attributed to a certain Irish Airline but that was when Irish jokes were acceptable, so who knows? However, it did happen. I recall reading a report on it.. The report is unlikely to have named the airline.
So, as to aircraft type and the culprit, not sure.
So, as to aircraft type and the culprit, not sure.
I was there at the time. I can’t remember if it needed an entirely new switch & cover, but the problem was fixed by making sure the cover and switch operated in different directions so that two distinct actions were required to operate the emergency slats. That was not the case before the mod, when the cover and switch could be operated in one action.
Last edited by BuzzBox; 20th Jul 2023 at 11:30.
Then yours is the best evidence there is. I wasn't there from '89 to '93, so I couldn't provide the kind of first-hand insight you are providing.
The modification kits are clearly fake news. That's the last time I rely on what a friend of a friend tells me what he heard someone say in an ablution facility.
The modification kits are clearly fake news. That's the last time I rely on what a friend of a friend tells me what he heard someone say in an ablution facility.
One great fix I saw was on a fleet of Pommy Vickers Viscounts. The stopwatch was prone to breakage by fat fingered pilots, so some engineer fitted clockwork egg timers to the panels. It was better than the stopwatch because even the totally mechanically challenged could work it, and a bell rang. Very useful for holding patterns and fuel crossfeeding. Somehow I don't think it was CAA approved.
Then there was the time an F27 pilot pushed his seat back, pushing the (metal covered) flight manual and engaging the flight-control locks...
Fortunately in those days pilots were taught all about systems, so when the lights came on they figured it out. No doubt preceded by a WTF? moment, as the checklist hadn't thought of that scenario.