Computer sent Qantas jet into dive: investigators

Computer sent Qantas jet into dive: investigators
October 15, 2008

A computer fault caused the autopilot system to be overridden, sending a Qantas plane into a mid-air plunge over Western Australia last week, authorities said tonight.

The air data computer - or inertial reference system - for the Airbus A330-300 sent erroneous information to the flight control computer causing the autopilot to disconnect, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.

More than 70 people on Qantas flight QF72 from Singapore to Perth were injured last Tuesday when the Airbus, carrying 303 passengers and 10 crew, suddenly dropped altitude.

People were hurled around the cabin and the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in Western Australia's north.

More to come
Computer sent Qantas jet into dive: investigators - Australia - Travel

AAP

nice to know computers fly aircraft,not pilots

the A330 is highly computerised, obviously the pilot has control but in flight the thing almost flies itself
Posted via Mobile Device

They can fly them, navigate them, land them...

I can see it now,our resident geek(coach)is chief pilot

Jargs,first officer

Thank god B&B is catering officer(steward)

Drive everywhere! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brokendown gunfighter

I can see it now,our resident geek(coach)is chief pilot

Jargs,first officer

Thank god B&B is catering officer(steward)

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Serving both members of the flight crew pints of Guinness


Air TWF is doomed
Posted via Mobile Device

What happened to the whole 8 hours from bottle to throttle?

well i wasnt being serious, but yes it is a legal requirement for Pilots to have not had any alcohol in the 8 hours before a flight

I was pretty sure you weren't being serious when you impled that you and coach would be piloting a QANTAS airbus........

an A330 is actually easy to fly, like i said it is highly computerised. Taking off is easy, flying the thing is easy, landing however................ :S

good thing we have people with alot more training then me or we would be truely boned

I say they should make the inflight movie "Flying High" for those who have seen it ;)

(i studied avaition at school i'd give it a whack if i really had to)

Signals may have caused plane's computer glitch caused Qantas plunge

October 16, 2008 07:05am

SIGNALS from Exmouth's naval communications base may have been responsible for last week's mid-air emergency over North-West Cape.

Air safety investigators say they will look into claims signals from the base may have interfered with the Qantas Airbus's computer, causing the plane to plunge 650 feet in seconds, injuring more than 70 passengers and crew.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it will examine whether signals from the communications base could have sparked the glitch.

The ATSB has already found that the Airbus A330-300's air data computer - or inertial reference system - sent erroneous and spike information to the flight control computer causing the autopilot to disconnect.

The aircraft was cruising at 37,000 feet when the fault occurred, causing it to descend up to 650 feet in seconds.

More than 70 people were injured when the plane, carrying 303 passengers and 10 crew, suddenly dropped altitude, hurling people around the cabin and forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at Learmonth in Western Australia.

Bases computer glitch caused Qantas plunge | PerthNow


This article doesn't mention that something similar happed to a Malysian Airlines Boeing 777 in the same area a few years ago

A Dubai-bound Emirates Airline plane became the second international flight in nine days to make an emergency landing in Western Australia after a burning smell was detected in the cabin.

Flight EK425, which left Perth carrying 122 passengers early Thursday, landed safely at Perth International Airport about two and a half hours after it had taken off.

Passengers said the plane turned back after a "chemical-like" odour was detected in the cabin.

Emirates Airline said in a statement that contrary to some media reports, there had been no smoke in the cockpit or the cabin of the A340-500 Airbus .

But passengers said they had detected strong fumes and a burning smell, which became stronger when the plane landed.

The incident followed an emergency landing by a Qantas Airbus A330-300 at Learmonth airstrip in the state's northwest last Tuesday.

More than 70 people aboard Qantas flight 72 from Singapore to Perth were injured when they were flung around the cabin during two unexpected drops in altitude.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/...-return-perth/

pure speculation - I bet nothing happened and it is all a US Government conspiracy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jargan83

an A330 is actually easy to fly, like i said it is highly computerised. Taking off is easy, flying the thing is easy, landing however................ :S

good thing we have people with alot more training then me or we would be truely boned

I say they should make the inflight movie "Flying High" for those who have seen it ;)

(i studied avaition at school i'd give it a whack if i really had to)

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Actually all major airports are now equipped with ILS and the Airbus (along with all current generation airliners) can make an approach on Autopilot, all you need is a bit of computer nouse and somebody telling you which button to press and when......even TLH could do it.

(I suggest you watch the Mythbusters episode on this topic)

PS over 400 hours on MS Flight Sim count?