Loss of Speed
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: dubai
Age: 32
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Loss of Speed
Hi
I am working on a Human Factors report on Air France Flight 447 accident and I have a question.
Both the CAS on the PFD and the CAS on the ISIS showed sudden drastic drop in speed (from around 228 knots to 152 knots). What are pilots normally trained to do when they encounter a loss in speed?
I am working on a Human Factors report on Air France Flight 447 accident and I have a question.
Both the CAS on the PFD and the CAS on the ISIS showed sudden drastic drop in speed (from around 228 knots to 152 knots). What are pilots normally trained to do when they encounter a loss in speed?
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"FLY THE AIRPLANE!"
If the airspeed drops 60+ knots with no other perceptible changes (pitch, power, etc), likely causes are wind shear or airspeed indication failure. Such an abrupt wind shear would be perceptible as turbulence, so increasing power would be the likely first reaction. Depending on altitude, a full wind shear / terrain escape maneuver might be warranted.
However, if the airspeed drops, but the airplane is still flying and there are no other perceptible changes (pitch-up, power reduction, stall warning...), assume the loss of the airspeed indication system and do the appropriate checklists.
If the airspeed drops 60+ knots with no other perceptible changes (pitch, power, etc), likely causes are wind shear or airspeed indication failure. Such an abrupt wind shear would be perceptible as turbulence, so increasing power would be the likely first reaction. Depending on altitude, a full wind shear / terrain escape maneuver might be warranted.
However, if the airspeed drops, but the airplane is still flying and there are no other perceptible changes (pitch-up, power reduction, stall warning...), assume the loss of the airspeed indication system and do the appropriate checklists.
