Three Engines Failed To Respond To Crew Inputs, Report Says

Airbus Defense and Space sent an Accident Information Transmission (AIT) Tuesday as an update to the Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) of May 19 to all operators of the A400M. This AIT informs that the DFDR (digital flight data recorder) and CVR (cockpit voice recorder) readouts have been successfully completed and that preliminary analysis has been conducted by CITAAM with representatives from Airbus Defence and Space providing technical advice.

CITAAM confirmed that engines 1, 2 and 3 experienced power frozen after lift-off and did not respond to the crew’s attempts to control the power setting in the normal way, while engine 4 responded to throttle demands. When the power levers were set to “flight idle” in an attempt to reduce power, the power reduced but then remained at “flight idle” on the three affected engines for the remainder of the flight despite attempts by the crew to regain power. Airbus says the statement is consistent with those three engines being affected by the issue addressed with the AOT.

Preliminary analyses have shown that all other aircraft systems performed normally and did not identify any other abnormalities throughout the flight. Accordingly, Airbus Defense and Space does not have any additional specific recommendations beyond those specified in the AOT of May 19th.

Airbus says the investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be given if significant new information becomes available.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.airbus.com