| 1. |
factual
information |
|
|
| 1.1 |
History
of the flight |
|
|
| 1.1.1 |
TF-FIO, a Boeing 757-208 from
Icelandair with the call sign of FI-315, was on a scheduled flight from
Keflavik Iceland (BIKF) to ENGM. The
flight departed BIKF 0735 UTC. The
flying time to Oslo was planned to be 2:10 hours. |
|
|
| 1.1.2 |
The flight was dispatched
with the following equipment inoperative:
Right ILS, right GPS and center autopilot (A/P). |
|
|
| 1.1.3 |
The take-off and landing
weights were within normal limitations. |
|
|
| 1.1.4 |
The scheduled flight was
uneventful until the descent and approach to ENGM.
The Commander was the pilot flying (PF) and the First Officer
performed the duties of the non-flying pilot (PNF).
The aircraft was flown by the autopilots (AP). |
|
|
| 1.1.5 |
At a distance of approx. 200
NM from ENGM the First Officer received and noted down the 0920 UTC
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) for ENGM, which stated RWY
01R was in use and that the weather was satisfactory for an approach to
this RWY. The Commander
planned for a practice CAT II approach.
Instruments and navigation aids were set and the approach was
briefed according to Icelandair Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). |
|
|
| 1.1.6 |
From ATC, the crew received
descent instructions and SIG 2E arrival.
(See Appendix no. 1: AIP NORGE/NORWAY AD 2 ENGM 4-16 and 4-15.)
The descent was started at time 0930 UTC, approx. 117 NM (track
miles) from ENGM. During the
descend TF-FIO was cleared direct to SONER with free speed below FL 100.
Later the crew was informed that the runway in use at ENGM was
changed to runway 01L. The
reason for the runway change was snow clearing in progress on runway 01R.
The whole descent and approach was made in strong tailwind.
ATC did not give any information regarding the wind.
The crew was initially aware of the strong tailwind, but they also
knew there was a light northerly wind at the airport and due to the high
workload in the approach they failed to notice that the tailwind was much
stronger than forecasted. Wind information was available through the flight deck
instrument equipment. Later
TF-FIO was cleared direct to Non Directional Beacon (NDB) Solberg (SLB). (See Appendix no. 2: AIP
NORGE/NORWAY AD 2 ENGM 5-1.) The
change of runway, the strong tail wind and the shortened approach path
resulted in the aircraft becoming high on the approach profile. |
|
|
| 1.1.7 |
The aircraft was flown on the
autopilot flight director system (AFDS).
As the aircraft was high on the descent profile, the Commander
extended speed brakes at times, trying to maintain proper descent profile.
During the descent the aircraft’s speed was slowed down to approx.
240 kt. There is no CAT II
approach onto RWY 01L and the crew performed a new approach briefing
because of the change of runway. Instrument
and navigation aids were correctly set and identified for a CAT I approach
to RWY 01L. |
|
|
| 1.1.8 |
At distance 10 NM from SLB,
the crew of TF-FIO was cleared to descent to 3 000 ft and were told they
could expect inbound turn on the localizer (LLZ) in 8 NM.
The aircraft was slowed down to approx. 220 kt and flaps were
extended. Close to overhead
the NDB SLB, the crew received the clearance to intercept the LLZ at time
0945 UTC. Approach mode was
selected on the Mode Control Panel (MCP).
The autopilot flight director system captured the LLZ almost
immediately, but the aircraft overshot the centreline.
After crossing the LLZ centreline due to the limitations of the
AFDS, an interception was made from the right side of the LLZ.
The aircraft was at this time above on the Glide Path (GP).
The AFDS corrected to the left to intercept.
At 3 000 ft, the tailwind velocity was approx. 45 kt.
The FDR data indicate the winds at 2 000 ft AGL were not constant,
reducing from 30 to 20 kt from an approximate heading of 200o. As altitude decreased to 500 ft AGL the FDR winds shifted to
a heading of approximately 60o to 70o and decreased
to approximately 8 kt. (On the ground the wind was light from the north). |
|
|
| 1.1.9 |
At the time, 0946 UTC, the
aircraft was cleared by ATC down to 2 500 ft, and this altitude was set on
the MCP. This setting was
maintained through the aborted approach.
The gear was selected down. When
the aircraft finally was established on the LLZ, it was at least 1 dot
high on the GP. Flaps 20o
had been set with appropriate speed selection. |
|
|
| 1.1.10 |
As the Commander doubted
that the AP in AUTO mode could capture the GP, he disconnected both AP’s
and the Auto Throttle (AT) with the thumb-switches in order to manually
capture the GP from above. The
aircraft was flown manually the remainder of the approach, and the
throttles were also operated manually until TOGA was initiated.
Shortly there after, the Commander noticed that raw data
information of the ILS on his ADI and HSI were lost.
No flag warnings were observed.
The Commander reduced the rate of descent because of the
uncertaincy. The raw data signals on his instrument panel appeared and
disappeared again. The First
Officer was informed, but on his instruments all indications were normal.
The crew did not consider a change of controls at this time. |
|
|
| 1.1.11 |
The aircraft descended
through 1 000 ft AAL (Above Aerodrome Level) in an unstabilized mode
without the mandatory “call out”. |
|
|
| 1.1.12 |
At an altitude of approx. 580
ft AAL (Flight Data Recorder (FDR) radio altimeter reading) the Commander
decided that he discontinued the unstabilized approach and initiated a
missed approach. The time was
09:49:11 UTC. He announced
his decision to the First Officer and started a “Go-Around” (GA). |
|
|
| 1.1.13 |
The status of the flight was
as follows: The aircraft was
above the GP, and the SOP calls for the GA altitude to be set when
stabilized on GP, therefore the GA altitude was not set on the MCP. Flaps were not in landing configuration, because landing
Check List was not completed. The
Commander’s instrument panel indicated intermittent ILS failures of raw
data without any flag warnings. The
lowest altitude AAL indicated on the FDR was approx 460 ft. |
|
|
| 1.1.14 |
The “pitch over” incident
is here described mainly based on the FDR information with the
Commander’s and First Officer’s reports incorporated: |
|
|
| 1.1.14.1 |
When
the go-around manoeuvre was started by the use of the auto go-around
system, the speed was 182 kt. The
aircraft was flown manually. The
aircraft pitch was increased to approx. 20o and the aircraft
started to climb. Upon initiating the go-around, the A/T automatically engaged
and increased the thrust to the EPR (Engine Pressure Ratio) limit.
In addition, the application of the under wing engine power also
gave pitch up movement. During
the climb the landing gear was retracted.
The flight director pitch initially targeted a pitch attitude of 15o.
The airspeed reached a maximum of 198 kt before it started to
decrease. |
|
|
| 1.1.14.2 |
Because of the aircrafts
proximity to the MCP selected altitude of 2 500 ft when the go-around was
started; the AFDS transitioned to Altitude Capture almost immediately
after a positive rate of climb was achieved.
At time 09:49:19 UTC the aircraft climbed rapidly through the MCP
altitude of 2 500 ft, The FD
continued to give commands targeting the MCP selected altitude.
The A/T changed from go-around mode to targeting the MCP selected
speed (150 kt). The maximum
aircraft pitch (21o) was reached.
The thrust remained near maximum because the Commander held the
throttles forward. The speed
was decelerating and quickly dropped below MCP speed.
The pitch flight director continued to give command to lead the
pilot back to the MCP altitude. |
|
|
| 1.1.14.3 |
At time 09:49:34 UTC the
aircraft reached a peak altitude of 2895 ft (FDR QNH corrected altitude)
and the speed had decreased to 137 kt.
(The reference speed for flaps 20o is 131 kt.)
Nose down was applied manually by the control column.
The First Officer called for “bug up” (for the flap up
manoeuvring speed) to set the airspeed indicator, and the Commander pushed
on the Flight Level Change Switch (FLCH) button to break the flight
director altitude lock on. The
speed selected on MCP was changed from 150 kt to 210 kt. During the next seconds, a full nose down input on the
control column was made manually. The
aircraft pitched over to an attitude of approx. –30o, and for
a period of approx. 5 seconds the FDR indicates negative g-values with a
maximum load factor of –0.6 g. |
|
|
| 1.1.14.4 |
The control column was
briefly returned to near neutral, and then another abrupt large nose down
column input was made. The
aircraft pitched over rapidly with the speed increasing excessively.
The FDR data show that the Ground Proximity Warning System (GWPS)
aural warning of “Pull up” was activated.
The aircraft was now in a steep dive and rapidly descending.
During the dive the flight director pitch bar gave pitch up
commands relative to the pitch attitude.
The A/T reduced the trust from 98% N1 to 45% N1.
At time 09:49:44 UTC the aircraft pitch attitude had peaked at -49o
and was beginning to increase positively. |
|
|
| 1.1.14.5 |
At this time the First
Officer called out “PULL UP!” - “PULL
UP!”. The GPWS aural
warnings of “TERRAIN” and then “TOO LOW TERRAIN” were activated.
Both pilots were active at the control columns and a maximum
“up” input was made. A
split between left and right elevator was indicated at this time.
It appears the split occurred due to both pilots being active at
the controls. The pilots did
not register the aural warnings. During
the dive the airspeed increased to 251 kt and the lowest altitude in the
recovery was 321 ft radio altitude with a peaked load factor of +3.59 g’s. |
|
|
| 1.1.14.6 |
The recovery continued with
the aircraft pitch attitude increasing to about 40o, and
a positive rate of climb was established.
The AT increased the thrust back to around 98% N1.
Eventually a normal trimmed flight was established, after a short
level off around 3 000 ft, finally at 4 000 ft, after several abrupt
control inputs. |
|
|
| 1.1.15 |
Reports from the chief cabin
attendant and some of the passengers on the status during the
“pitch-over” can be summarized: |
|
|
|
|
The
movement of the aircraft resulted in water being expelled from
toilets and all loose articles started to move around.
Bags stored from underneath seats became loose, newspapers
moved out of paper racks, magazines and books out of seat pockets,
mobile phones and spectacles were lifted from pockets of personal
clothing. In some
cases, articles belonging to passengers sitting in front of the wing
section ended up in the aft galley.
Fortunately, everybody, with one exception, had their
seatbelts fastened. He
did not know whether he had fastened it or if it had become
unfastened. He was in shock and demonstrated several signs of
distress.
The
passengers felt the positive and negative g-forces as extreme and
very uncomfortable. It
led to chaos in the cabin. The
manoeuvres were very scaring, some were screaming and others were
praying to God. |
|
|
|
| 1.1.16 |
When established at 4 000 ft
the appropriate selections were made on the MCP.
The AP was engaged. The
First Officer reported the missed approach to the Approach Control, which
gave TF-FIO vectors for a new approach.
No information about the incident was given, and ATC was not made
aware of the abnormal manoeuvre. |
|
|
| 1.1.17 |
The whole “pitch-over”
manoeuvre was made in clouds. Some
of the passengers had a brief view of the ground when the aircraft was at
the lowest point. For the
flight deck crew, the incident took place in IMC. |
|
|
| 1.1.18 |
The Commander gave a short
announcement to the passengers and cabin attendants stating the approach
had not been successful. A
new approach had been started, and a landing could be expected within 10
minutes. When established on
final the Commanders ILS raw data disappeared again.
He handed over the control of the aircraft to the First Officer who
landed the aircraft at time 1102. |
|
|
| 1.1.19 |
Because of the negative and
positive load factors, the chaos in the cockpit was identical to that in
the cabin. Flight bags and
papers had been thrown about. During
the taxiing-in the pilots made a short review (debriefing) between
themselves of the “pitch-over” manoeuvre without coming to a
conclusion of what really had happened. |
|
|
| 1.1.20 |
After parking at the gate the
passengers with destination Oslo left the aircraft without any orientation/briefing
of the missed approach and the following manoeuvres.
The passengers were confused and many were shocked and frightened. |
|
|
| 1.1.21 |
When the aircraft was parked,
the pilots cleaned up the cockpit. The
Commander gave a short initial briefing to the cabin attendants.
He requested contact with a technician.
The First Officer had requested through Scandinavian Airlines
System (SAS), the ground-handling agent, a technician to report to the
aircraft. SAS contacted the
Braathens airline company and a technician arrived, informing the
Commander that his licence on B757 had expired, and as far as he knew
there were at present no maintenance contract between Icelandair and
Braathens. The technician
also informed the Commander that by contacting Icelandair the validity of
his licence could be extended. This
would probably take some 30 minutes.
(A valid contract was in force between Icelandair and the company
Britannia of Sweden which operates B757’s.
However this company did not operate at Gardermoen airport at the
time of the incident. It has later been confirmed that Britannia technical
personnel were available at the time of the incident.)
The Commander was not aware of this fact. |
|
|
| 1.1.22 |
At the time the Braathens’
technician arrived, the Commander was in the telephone
with the Icelandair Maintenance Control at Keflavik.
He informed the company of the failures of the basic ILS data, the
lack of flag warnings, and thereafter handed the phone over to the
technician. In agreement with
the Maintenance Control in Iceland, the Braathens’ technician made BITE
tests of the instrument system. When
the tests were completed, he checked the raw data for normal indications
and informed the Commander about the results.
No information of load or speed exceedances was given to the
technician. |
|
|
| 1.1.23 |
The technician was finally
asked by the Commander to check the flaps operation.
The flaps were extended and retracted.
A normal operation was indicated. |
|
|
| 1.1.24 |
The Commander took time to
give a thorough briefing of what he thought had taken place to the stunned
cabin attendants. He also
asked them if they wanted to continue onwards on the scheduled flight. All five of them agreed to continue their duties. |
|
|
| 1.1.25 |
After
a discussion with the First Officer who was concerned of possible
exceedance of maximum flaps 20o speed, the Commander decided to
continue the flight according to schedule.
The First Officer agreed to the continuation of the flight.
The flight crew were not at the time aware of the fact that the
aircraft had been overstressed. Possible
exeedances of load factors were not discussed.
When the continuing passengers for Stockholm boarded, they also
received a briefing of the missed approach and the following “pitch-up”. |
|
|
| 1.1.26 |
The flight continued to ESSA
and later on to Iceland. The flights were uneventful, and all systems
worked normally. |
|
|
| 1.1.27 |
During the stop at ESSA, a
phone call to the company chief pilot was made.
The Commander requested a meeting for a debriefing of the aborted
approach at Oslo airport Gardermoen upon arrival Iceland. |
|
|
| 1.1.28 |
After landing at Keflavik
airport Iceland, the chief pilot of the Icelandair met the crew of TF-FIO
at Reykjavik. Details from
the manoeuvring of the aircraft were given.
The FDR was removed from the aircraft upon order from the chief
pilot. |
|
|
| 1.1.29 |
The aircraft continued
operating until 25th of January when a C-check was performed.
The aircraft was released on the 7th of February, and
was flying on scheduled flights until 13th of March when the
Boeing Company recommended further inspections after evaluating data of
the incident from the FDR. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.2 |
Injuries
to persons |
|
| INJURIES |
CREW |
PASSENGERS |
OTHERS |
| FATAL |
|
|
|
| SERIOUS |
|
|
|
| MINOR/NONE |
7 |
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1.3 |
Damage
to aircraft |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
| 1.4 |
Other
damage |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
| 1.5 |
Personnel
information |
|
|
| 1.5.1 |
The Commander |
|
|
| 1.5.1.1 |
The Commander, a male aged
43, possessed an ATPL-A (Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aircraft)) valid
for Boeing 757/767 type rating. The
licence was valid until the 23rd of August 2006.
His last Class 1 medical examination was carried out on the 21st
of August 2001 and was valid until 21st of February 2002.
The Commander’s Proficiency Check was valid until the end of
March 2002. |
|
|
| 1.5.1.2 |
The Commander began his
flying career in April 1986. |
|
|
| 1.5.1.3 |
In
June 1975 the Commander started work for Icelandair as a baggage handler
and worked as such on his school vacations for some years.
He started working for the company as an aircraft maintenance
technician and in April 1986 he started his career as a First Officer
flying the Fokker F-27. |
|
|
| 1.5.1.4 |
The Commander had 581 flying
hours the previous year and had accumulated a total of 8 034 hours of
flying time. |
|
|
| 1.5.1.5 |
| FLYING
EXPERIENCE |
TOTAL |
ON
TYPE |
| LAST
24 HOURS |
2:40 |
2:40 |
| LAST
3 DAYS |
2:40 |
2:40 |
| LAST
30 DAYS |
34:35 |
34:35 |
| LAST
90 DAYS |
126:20 |
126:20 |
|
|
|
| 1.5.1.6 |
The Commander was off duty
the last four days before the incident.
The incident took place on the first of three scheduled flight
sectors that day. |
|
|
| 1.5.2 |
The First Officer |
|
|
| 1.5.2.1 |
The First Officer, a 26-year
old male, possessed a CPL-A (Commercial Pilot Licence
(Aircraft)) valid for Boeing 757/767.
The licence was valid until 23rd of August 2006.
His last Class 1 medical examination had been carried out on the 21st
of August 2001 and was valid until 23rd of August 2002.
The First Officer’s Company Proficiency Check was valid until the
end of March 2002. |
|
|
| 1.5.2.2 |
The First Officer started to
work with Icelandair as a dispatcher.
1st April 1999 he began his flying career as First
Officer flying the Fokker 50. |
|
|
| 1.5.2.3 |
The First Officer had 495
flying hours during the previous year and had accumulated a total of 2 485
hours of flying time. |
|
|
| 1.5.2.4 |
| FLYING
EXPERIENCE |
TOTAL |
ON
TYPE |
| LAST
24 HOURS |
7:19 |
7:19 |
| LAST
3 DAYS |
14:27 |
14:27 |
| LAST
30 DAYS |
30:53 |
30:53 |
| LAST
90 DAYS |
107:45 |
107:45 |
|
|
|
| 1.5.2.5 |
The
First Officer was on the first sector of three, on the second day of a
two-day schedule. His flight
duty period on the previous day was 9:29 hours.
He had a rest period of 13 hours before returning to work on the 22nd
of January. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.6 |
Aircraft
information |
|
|
| 1.6.1 |
Boeing 757-208, registered
TF-FIO, is a medium range twin turbofan airliner.
It is powered by two 178,4 kN (40,100 lb st) Rolls-Royce
RB211-535-E4 turbofans. The
aircraft was manufactured in 1999. |
|
|
|
The aircraft was dispatched
from Keflavik with the following equipment inoperative: Right ILS, Right
GPS and Center autopilot. These
dispatch deviations were allowed according to the Minimum Equipment List
(MEL) and accepted by the Commander of the flight. |
|
|
| 1.6.2 |
In February 2002, after the
incident, the aircraft went through a C-check.
When Boeing became aware of the seriousness of the incident, the
company requested Icelandair to perform a very extensive structural
inspection on the airplane. The
inspection was focused on the fuselage, wings, empennage and the engine
strut connection. The
inspection asked to look for distortion, flaked paint, cracks, and buckled
structure and for fasteners that have pulled out or “are not there”.
The inspection was very detailed, and required many of the
inspection tasks that already had been accomplished during the
above-mentioned C-check. The Boeing Company sent a wing structure engineer specialist
to assist with determining possible damage, and to determine if further
inspection would be required. It
turned out that a re-inspection of the parts that had been inspected
during the C-check was not necessary.
As a result of this, the extent of the inspection decreased.
It was apparent that the airplane’s structure had not been
damaged. As a precaution, the
following parts were exchanged: |
|
|
|
|
1. |
Six fuse bolts in the engine strut
connection |
|
2. |
The forward bolts on the flap track
to wing connection |
|
3. |
The two bolts that run through the
two main rollers, on each flap track. |
|
|
|
|
The engine manufacturer,
Rolls Royce, decided after contact with Icelandair that no special
inspection would be necessary on the engines. Rolls Royce did, however, recommend that the engines mount
connection points should be inspected next time the engines were removed. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.7 |
Meteorological
information |
|
|
| 1.7.1 |
The flight en route was made
in VMC and in strong tailwind. |
|
|
| 1.7.2 |
The missed approach and the
following manoeuvre were made in IMC (in clouds). |
|
|
| 1.7.3 |
The forecast for ENGM at 0500
UTC for the period 06 –15: Wind: Variable 05 kt. Visibility 2 000 m in
snow. Clouds: Scattered at
500 ft, broken at 1 000 ft. Temporary
06 – 15: Visibility 1 000 m in snow, vertical visibility 400 ft. |
|
|
| 1.7.4 |
The actual weather at ENGM
0620 UTC: Wind: 020o 5 kt.
Visibility: 1 500 m in snow. Vertical
visibility: 600 ft. Temperature
and dew point: -4 oC / -5 oC.
QNH: 990 hPa. Temporary: Visibility 1 000 m in
snow. |
|
|
| 1.7.5 |
Automatic Terminal
Information System (ATIS): |
|
|
Information OSCAR at 0920 UTC: |
|
Braking Action at time 0810,
43-43-46. Runway 01R in
use. W/V 010/3. Visibility
3 000 m, light freezing drizzle.
Few clouds at 200 ft, scattered clouds at 300 ft, broken
cloud base at 500 ft. TEMPO
visibility 1 000 m, freezing drizzle and mist, vertical visibility
400 ft. Tailwind
reported 20 kt down to 200 ft. |
|
|
|
| 1.7.6 |
Actual weather at 0950 UTC:
Wind: 360o 2 kt. Visibility:
2 700 m. Weather: Freezing drizzle,
mist. Clouds: Few at 100,
scattered at 200, broken at 300. Temperature
and dew point: -4o C / -4o C.
QNH: 985 hPa. Temporary: Visibility: 1 000 m, freezing drizzle, mist, vertical
visibility 200 ft. |
|
|
| 1.7.7 |
January 22 at 0850 an
“Aerodrome warning” was issued by AIS/MET Department ENGM: |
|
|
|
|
2. |
Crosswind: |
Wind 2 000 ft 170o / 10 kt |
|
|
|
Wind 3 000 ft 245o / 40 kt |
|
|
|
Wind 4 000 ft 240o / 45 kt |
|
3. |
Freezing: |
|
|
|
Rain/Drizzle: |
Icing condition due to intermittent
freezing drizzle |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1.8 |
Aids
to navigation |
|
|
|
Ground based aids to
navigation had no effect on the incident. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.9 |
Aerodrome
information |
|
|
| 1.9.1 |
Oslo airport Gardermoen (ENGM)
is equipped with modern communication- and navigation equipment.
There are several area radio navigation- and approach-aids.
These consists of NDB’s, DME’s and DME/VOR’s.
There are installed ILS to all runways.
Runway 01R has a ILS of CAT II standard, while runway 01L’s ILS
is of CAT I standard. The
aerodrome is furnished with both approach- and ground radar.
All aids worked normally at the time of the incident. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.10 |
Communications |
|
|
| 1.10.1 |
The
radio communications between TF-FIO and the different ATC controllers
functioned normally. Judging
from the recordings, radio reception was good and there was no
interference on the frequency. The
phraseology used was mainly in accordance with the instructions. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.11 |
Flight
recorders |
|
|
| 1.11.1 |
The aircraft was equipped
with a Honeywell flight data recorder, P/N 980-4700-042, S/N 3979. The
FDR was removed from the airplane January 22th 2002.
The data has been of great use for this investigation. |
|
|
| 1.11.2 |
A cockpit voice recorder (CVR),
type L3 Communication (Fairchild) type 2100-1020-00
was installed. As the flight
continued after the incident with electrical power on the system, no
information from the CVR has been available to AAIB/N. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.12 |
Wreckage
and impact information |
|
|
|
Not relevant. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.13 |
Medical
and pathological information |
|
|
|
There were no medical cause factors in this incident. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.14 |
Fire |
|
|
|
Not relevant |
|
|
|
|
| 1.15 |
Survival
aspects |
|
|
|
Not applicable. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.16 |
Test
and research |
|
|
|
Not relevant. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.17 |
Organizational
and management information |
|
|
| 1.17.1 |
The airline |
|
|
| 1.17.1.1 |
Icelandair as an airline
traces its roots to the year 1937 when a fledging airline, Flugfelag
Akureyrar, was founded at Akureyri on the north coast of Iceland. In 1943 the company moved its headquarters to the capital
city, Reykjavik, and changed its name to Flufelag Íslands. The airline later assumed the international trade name of
Icelandair. |
|
|
| 1.17.1.2 |
Another important milestone
was passed in 1944, when three young Icelandic pilots, returning from
their flight training in Canada, founded Loftleidir, which later became
known as Icelandic Airlines. Initially
both companies concentrated on Icelandic domestic air services. However, in 1945 Flugfelag Íslands made its first
international flights to Scotland and Denmark.
Loftleidir started international operations in 1947.
It’s pioneering low-fare services across the North-Atlantic
commenced in 1953. |
|
|
| 1.17.1.3 |
In 1973 it was agreed to
merge Flugfelag Íslands and Loftleidir under a new holding company,
Flugleidir. In October 1979
Flugleidir assumed all operating responsibilities of its two “parents”,
and decided to use Icelandair as its international trade name, only
retaining the Flugleidir name in the Icelandic domestic market. |
|
|
| 1.17.1.4 |
The company is 100% privately
owned by 4517 Icelandic shareholders.
It is the largest private company in Iceland, employing over 2 000
people. |
|
|
| 1.17.1.5 |
Icelandair
has been a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association) since
1950, a member of AEA (Association of European Airlines) since 1957, and a
member of the Flight Safety Foundation since 1966. |
|
|
| 1.17.2 |
Organization |
|
|
| 1.17.2.1 |
Icelandair
operated scheduled passenger, cargo and charter flights primarily between
Iceland, Europe and North America. It
is one of the largest aviation operators in Iceland and has a long and
distinguished operational record. In
1990 the airline started to expand and restructure its aircraft fleet.
It is presently operating a fleet of 11 Boeing 757-200 and 757-300
aircraft. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.2 |
Authority for operation is by
an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) issued by the CAA of Iceland.
Iceland is a member of the JOINT AVIATION AUTHORITIES, and
Icelandair operates according to JAR-OPS 1 requirements. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.3 |
An Accountable Manager has
the overall responsibility for all aspects of aircraft operation and
Nominated Post Holders are responsible for: |
|
|
|
| - |
Flight Operation |
| - |
Maintenance Systems |
| - |
Crew
training |
| - |
Ground Operations |
|
|
|
|
At the time of the incident
one person is Nominated Post Holder for Flight Operation, Crew Training
and Ground Operation. |
|
One other person is Nominated
Post Holder for Maintenance Systems. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.4 |
A comprehensive Flight
Operations Manual (FOM), supplemented by Aeroplane Operating Manual (AOM),
Route Manual (RM) and Training Manual (TM) controls the different aspects
of Flight Operations. A
Manual System described by a “manual tree” places the different
manuals in relation to each other. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.5 |
Crew
selection, initial technical- and flight training and recurrent training
satisfy the requirements from the authorities.
The training is organized in a series of modules given at different
times and at different locations. Crew
Resource Management (CRM) is one such module.
The modular system places increased workload on
Flight Operations management in the areas of checking and
supervision in order to assure that all safety critical items and
procedures are adequately addressed.
The new training facility in Reykjavik was opened in December 2001
before the incident occurred. After
the incident Icelandair has started using the new in-house training
facility utilizing the latest state-of-the-art training aids. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.6 |
Icelandair was not at the
time of the incident utilizing a systematic analysis of flight recorder
data of all flights for supervision, control and monitoring of the
company’s operational standard. The
present aircraft fleet is equipped with Quick Access Recorders making such
analysis possible. |
|
|
| 1.17.2.7 |
Icelandair has a philosophy
and a set of policies as well as procedures and practices in order to
maximize the safety of all flights. |
|
|
| 1.17.3 |
Training and selection |
|
|
| 1.17.3.1 |
In order to be accepted as a
pilot candidate for Icelandair, the flying experience required is either: |
|
|
|
| 1) |
having
previously received type rating on an aircraft requiring two pilots
or |
| 2) |
having accumulated at
least 1 500 flight hours, or |
| 3) |
having accumulated at
least 500 flight hours and completed specific training courses
approved by ICAA in preparation for training on turbo-jet airplanes. |
|
|
|
| 1.17.3.2 |
The pilot candidates to
Icelandair must in addition pass an extensive selection process before
being accepted for pilot training in the company. |
|
|
| 1.17.3.3 |
The candidates have to
undergo several psychological tests like MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory). (MMPI
is a method for measurement of traits of personality, such as those having
to do with interests, attitudes, emotional adjustment and social relations,
all-important aspects of a pilot’s personality and abilities). In addition the pilot candidates are checked for
psycho-technical abilities, communication skills, leadership potential,
stress tolerance and inductive intelligence.
Further the candidates have to demonstrate basic flying and CRM (in
this connection Cockpit Resource Management) skills in a flight-training
device where two applicants are tested at the same time. |
|
|
| 1.17.3.4 |
Being accepted as a pilot in
Icelandair the pilots undergo an initial course including type rating, and
a four weeks ground course followed by two weeks of simulator training.
Finally landing and line flying under supervision is given for 1
– 3 weeks. Both flight
crewmembers had undergone this flight training. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.18 |
Additional
information |
|
|
| 1.18.1 |
From
Icelandair Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): |
|
|
| 1.18.1.1 |
2.1 Checklists |
|
---------.
The pilot assigned to read the checklist will not initiate a
checklist but he will remind the PF when he feels the call for the
checklist is becoming overdue. ----------. |
|
|
| 1.18.1.2 |
2.4 FCM/CDU |
|
---------.
In-flight: FMC/CDU route and approach modifications should be
inserted by the PNF and executed only after confirmation by the PF. --------. |
|
|
| 1.18.1.3 |
2.9
Approach considerations |
|
---------.
Crews can reduce risk with planning and vigilance.
--------. Plan to
abandon the approach if company standards for a stabilized approach are
not met. |
|
|
|
After commencement of an
approach, a missed approach should be conducted when: |
|
|
|
| - |
Confusion
exists or crew coordination breaks down; |
| - |
There is uncertainty
about situational awareness; |
| - |
Checklists are being
conducted late or the crew is task overloaded; |
| - |
Any malfunction
threatens the successful completion of the approach; |
| - |
The approach becomes
unstable in altitude, airspeed, glide path, course or configuration; |
| - |
---------. |
|
|
|
| 1.18.1.4 |
2.10 Stabilized approach |
|
An approach is stabilized
when the airplane is flown: |
|
|
|
| - |
Along the desired flight path in
landing configuration; |
| - |
With a heading needing only small
corrections to maintain the desired flight path; |
| - |
At the correct approach speed
including relevant and agreed upon corrections; maintaining an
acceptable rate of descent; and |
| - |
At a thrust setting needing only
small corrections to maintain the desired flight path. |
|
|
|
|
In IMC the approach should be
stabilised no later than 1 000 ft AAL. |
|
|
| 1.18.1.5 |
2.12 Flight deck Discipline |
|
Both pilots should be aware
of altitude, aeroplane position and situation.
If any doubt, investigate. |
|
-----------.
Use standard callouts at all times.
The pilot not flying should accomplish callouts based on instrument
indications or observations for the appropriate condition.
-------- If the PNF
fails to make the required callout the PF should make it.
-------. Pilots are
expected to give all commands, challenges and responses in a command tone
(clearly). |
|
|
| 1.18.1.6 |
Descent/Approach Procedures |
|
In these procedures it is
stated that PNF shall call out at 1 000 ft AAL (QNH): “One
thousand” and the PF shall confirm. |
|
It
is also stated: “Accomplish landing checklist to flaps at glide slope
intercept. When landing flaps
are set, complete landing checklist. |
|
|
| 1.18.1.7 |
7.7 Missed Approach Procedure.
ILS Approach |
|
The SOP has a detailed
procedure of what PF’s and PNF’s duties. It starts with the PF shall announce go-around, he shall push
the GA switch and order “FLAPS TWENTY”.
Both pilots shall verify rotation to go-around attitude and thrust
increase, and verify flight mode annunciation on ADI for proper mode.
The PNF shall verify go-around thrust and adjust if necessary.
He shall call out “POSITIVE CLIMB”.
The procedure continuous with gear retraction and the setting of
climb power. |
|
|
|
|
| 1.19 |
Useful
or effective investigation techniques |
|
|
| 1.19.1 |
Nothing other than routine
investigative methods have been used in this investigation. |
|
|
|
|
| 2. |
Analysis |
|
|
| 2.1 |
The descent
and the unstabilized approach: |
|
|
| 2.1.1 |
The descent was started at
normal time and distance from the planned landing runway.
After the descent had been initiated, there was a change of runway;
but this made only a minor shortening of the distance. Later the descent distance was shortened twice by ATC.
This, together with the strong tailwind, caused the aircraft to
become high on the approach profile.
Contributing to this incident was also the air traffic
controller’s vectoring of the airplane. To compensate, the Commander was using speed brakes.
In spite of this, the aircraft was still high when approaching the
point of the glide path capture for runway 01L.
The Commander did not contact ATC in order to extend the descent
distance. To get rid of the
high energy of the aircraft became a problem.
A stabilized approach is critical for a safe landing.
Everyone involved in the system has an important role to play.
When the last turns were made to intercept the LLZ, they were made
too late with the result that the aircraft overshot. A new intercept from the opposite side had to be made.
During the hearing of this report AAIB/N received the following
from CAA Iceland: |
|
|
|
“We think that there should
be more emphasis on the captains responsibility to plan his approach in
such a way that a stable approach can be made, to follow standard
operating procedures and to follow and see to it that CRM procedures are
followed. If the captain
fails in his duties, the first officer should of course draw the captains
attention to the irregularity.” |
|
|
|
AAIB/N
are in agreement with this statement. |
|
|
| 2.1.2 |
When, finally, the aircraft
was stabilized on the LLZ, it was high on the glide path, the correct flap
setting was not made, and the approach speed was varying, being too high.
The final landing checklist could not be completed according to
SOP, as the completion of this checklist depended on being stabilized on
the glide path. The Commander
analysed the situation during the continued approach, and finally, when he
also lost raw data from the ILS on his instruments, he correctly decided
– late in the sequence - to abandon the approach and to perform a
go-around. |
|
|
| 2.1.3 |
AAIB/N consider that the
Commander entered into a situation of mental overload.
The overload started when he did not comprehend the problem being
high on the descent profile. The
aircraft ended being unstabilized on the final approach. According to SOP, the aircraft should be in landing
configuration and only very small corrections to speed, power and attitude
should be rendered at this final stage of approach. |
|
|
| 2.1.4 |
In an approach in marginal
weather, there should normally be a high degree of cooperation between the
crewmembers. AAIB/N have
reached the opinion that sufficient cooperation did not take place.
The SOP and the flight crew training, especially the CRM-training,
should have lead to a more active crew cooperation.
The hesitant attitude of the First Officer during the approach is
considered an important factor for the unstabilized approach and the
Commander’s mental overload situation.
It is of no less importance the obligation of the Commander to
remind the Co-pilot of his duties as Pilot Not Flying.
The lack of call-outs regarding altitudes and speeds reinforced the
difficult situation that eventually developed.
The decent and approach were not performed according to the company
SOP. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.2 |
The
go-around: |
|
|
| 2.2.1 |
It is difficult to fully
understand why the crew unintentionally entered the extreme manoeuvres
following the abortion of the approach.
This part of the flight was performed in IMC.
In trying to understand why it happened, it is necessary to look
into details of the “upset”. |
|
|
| 2.2.2 |
When the Commander finally,
too late in the sequence in the opinion of AAIB/N, decided to discontinue
the unstabilized approach, he was flying the aircraft manually.
When initiating the auto “Go-around”, the auto throttle became
engaged, and increased automatically the engine trust to the EPR limit.
The application of the under wing engine power also gave a pitch up
movement. The flight director
pitch bar commanded a pitch attitude of 15o.
(The AFDS commanded a level off at 2 500 ft (the last assigned
altitude by ATC). The AFDS
calculates the high closure rate to
2 500 ft and captures that altitude almost immediately; causing the
A/T to change from Go-around mode to retard power to MCP selected speed
(150 kt)). The aircraft
therefore climbed very rapidly through the MCP selected altitude of 2 500
ft and with the aircraft pitch increasing to 21o.
AAIB/N considers that the Commander at this time had lost
situational awareness (being “behind the aircraft”). |
|
|
| 2.2.3 |
As the Commander noticed the
speed to be rapidly decreasing, he pushed the control column forward.
This was in order to follow the command of level off at 2 500 ft.
Pushing the control column forward is also an elementary flying
procedure to increase the speed and to prevent the aircraft from entering
a stall. |
|
|
| 2.2.4 |
The First Officer at this
time called for “Bug up”. The
Commander reached for and resat the MCP speed.
This was contrary to company Standard Operation Procedure. Simultaneously the Commander continued to push the control
column even more forward. The
aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 2 895 ft and the load factor
reached a negative g-value of –0.6. |
|
|
| 2.2.5 |
The aircraft then entered a
rapid dive, and the speed increased.
Different warnings were given of ground proximity and the command
of pull up by the aircraft systems, but not registered by the crew.
The A/T reduced the trust from 98% N1 (full power) to 45% N1 (idle
power). The negative pitch
reached a maximum value nose down of 49o.
Up to this time the First Officer had been somewhat passive and
confused. Now he acted as an
active and co-operative crew member and asked: “What are you doing”
and next, he called out: “Pull up!” -
“Pull up!”. Both
pilots pulled back on their control columns, and the aircraft, after
reaching a maximum speed of 251 kt, recovered from the dive with a
clearance of 321 ft (radio height) over the north end of the runway 01L.
During the pull-up the load factor increased to positive G-value of
3.59. |
|
|
|
To
the hearing of this report the Commander gave AAIB/N the following
statement: |
|
|
|
“I
believe my First Officer acted as an active and co-operative crewmember
throughout the flight, but in the final approach, due to the abnormally
high workload, both of us became occupied handling details instead of
looking at the whole picture. And
when we suddenly got the altitude capture commands from our FDS, when both
of us were mindset for a go-around, we became confused and later on the
unbelievable nose down pitch attitude, we became even more confused.” |
|
|
| 2.2.6 |
The aircraft pitch then
increased to about 40o nose up, and after several abrupt
control inputs, the aircraft was levelled off at 4 000 ft.
Pitch upsets are defined as pitch in excess of 25o up
and 10o down. As
the pitch values were outside these limits, the artificial horizon
indication became all brown as registered by the Commander when the
aircraft descended. This
baffled the Commander even more. (There
is at least 0.25 inches of blue visible on the HSI during this situation
on the accident airplane as delivered.) |
|
|
| 2.2.7 |
The importance of crew
cooperation is imperative. In
this case, AAIB/N is of the opinion there was a complete breakdown of crew
management and a lack of interaction at an early stage.
When the confusion started, the combination of one pilot manually
operating the controls partly in opposition to the automatic throttle
movement made this “upset” understandable.
This can be referred to as an “automation trap”.
When “bug-up” is selected to target speed, this command gets
cancelled by selection of “Flight Level Change” or by altitude capture.
The speed then becomes “present speed”.
This caused the aircraft to act differently than the pilots had
anticipated. This resulted in
confusion and was probably a factor in causing the incident to occur.
In the opinion of AAIB/N it is not satisfactory that a seemingly
properly trained and qualified airline crew should end up loosing control
of a modern airliner and cause an incident like this one. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.3 |
Background
- training |
|
|
| 2.3.1 |
Selection of individual
crewmembers, initial training, type training and recurrent training in
Icelandair confirms to the traditional pattern found in most airlines. The training is organized in modules and subcontractors may
present the different modules individually in different locations.
Each module in itself can be fully satisfactory as far as contents
and presentation is concerned, but the challenge for the airlines
operational management is to assure that the total training program, with
all its interfaces, fulfils the goal of the operator as well as the
requirements of the aviation authorities.
A Quality Assurance System with the necessary oversight- and
supervision systems are required to monitor the complete training process
to detect possible “glitches” in the interfaces between modules in
order to prevent latent failures in the system. |
|
|
| 2.3.2 |
CRM training could be used as
an integration tool in order to identify problem areas and at the same
time prepare crewmembers for better cooperation when handling unusual and
unexpected occurrences during flight. |
|
|
| 2.3.3 |
A system utilizing Flight
Recorder Data for continuous monitoring of the flight operational standard
and the effectiveness of company procedures and regulations were not in
use in Icelandair at the time of the incident.
Such a system, based on data from the QAR (Quick Access Recorder),
and used to collect statistical data, has been found by many operators to
give valuable early warnings about problems not easily detected by other
means. The technical
equipment needed for the collection of such data is already installed in
Icelandair's Boeing 757 fleet. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.4 |
Crew
Resource Management (CRM) |
|
|
| 2.4.1 |
CRM training is required for
JAR OPS 1 operations. The
application of CRM concepts can approve crew performance through enhanced
communication training, problem solving, decision-making and workload
management. In the present
situation the crew demonstrated omission of action: ie. insufficient
approach briefings, failure to administer high workload and a lack of risk
assessment - recognize failure from standard procedures.
Failures in CRM may be associated with complacency or
overconfidence. |
|
|
| 2.4.1.1 |
An important part of pilot
training today is CRM training. CRM
is not a universal recipe for safety, but a highly effective and essential
aspect of flight crew training. CRM
has passed through a number of generations during its lifetime of less
than 20 years. The original
CRM was a response to human errors, especially those associated with
ineffective teamwork and decision-making.
The fifth generation is based on the fact that there will always be
human errors and that they are inevitable.
To be effective, the training must therefore credibly communicate
the limits of human factor performance with regard to mental capacity to
function under stress, and thus make the crew more aware of personal
limits and capabilities. |
|
|
| 2.4.1.2 |
In addition the effect of CRM
training is dependent of different cultures under which it is performed.
In Icelandair one would presume that all the crew have the same
national culture thus simplifying many aspects of the training.
However, one must realise that crew behaviour is shaped by three
additional cultures: professional culture, organizational culture and the
company’s safety culture. |
|
|
| 2.4.1.3 |
Professional culture reflects
the attitudes and values associated with an occupation. For pilots this often means unrealistic denial of
vulnerability to the multiple stressors of the occupation.
Such attitudes may reduce the acceptance of CRM training.
Further we have organizational culture, which is manifested in the
openness between management and employees or in the attitudes and
behaviour of critical role models such as air check men.
Finally a negative organizational culture can result in CRM being
viewed as yet another square filling exercise rather than the reflection
of the organizations standards. |
|
|
| 2.4.1.4 |
Last but not least will the
company’s safety culture be manifested in knowing channels to
communicate safety concerns and a sense that these should be addressed.
It is essential that training and evaluation not only focus on the
avoidance of error, but also on the management of error.
In accordance with this view the last generation of CRM training is
trying to get rid of the term “pilot flying and pilot not flying” and
substitute it with “pilot flying and pilot monitoring”.
In the present situation the crew did not function as a crew, but
rather as two individuals in the same cockpit without a common plan for
the flight and landing. The
CRM training they had received prior to the incident had not been
integrated in their behaviour the way it was supposed to: ”CRM is the
utilization of all available resources to achieve safe and efficient
operation to enhance the communication and the management skills of the
flight crewmember concerned”. Lack
of planning left the pilots in a stressed state where they no longer were
able to communicate their doubts or actions.
Rather than hiding errors or shortcomings, the open sharing of
error and the effective management of error provide reinforcement of CRM
practice. |
|
|
| 2.4.1.5 |
Lack
of joint CRM training with the rest of the crew was obvious in the way the
crew managed the situation immediately after landing:
It took some minutes before the cabin crew got any information from
the cockpit about the incident, therefore they were not able to inform the
passengers properly about the situation or make sure the passengers got a
psychological debriefing immediately after leaving the plane.
The way the situation was handled gave the passengers unnecessary
problems, which may take them some time to solve. |
|
|
| 2.4.2 |
Icelandair should consider
its plans for a colleague support program in connection with accidents and
incidents. Such programs have
proven to be helpful to pilots and cabin attendants after stressful
situations, reducing the time away from active duty and fewer reports on
delayed emotional reactions caused by stressful experiences. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.5 |
Organization
and management |
|
|
| 2.5.1 |
Icelandair is organized and
managed in accordance with the requirements of JAR-OPS 1 and the Icelandic
CAA. Rapid expansion and
recent re-organization has resulted in “growing pains” in the
organization. And the management, being aware of the situation, is
monitoring the process closely. |
|
|
| 2.5.2 |
An investigation of
Icelandair’s Organization and Management along the vertical line:
Philosophies, Policies, Procedures, Practices and along the horizontal
line of the modules: Crew Recruitment, Initial Training, Technical
Training, Flight Training, CRM training, Commanders Training and Recurrent
Training demonstrated certain weak points: Philosophies and policies were
not sufficiently documented in the manuals to assure that all personnel
respond in the required and correct manner during operation of aircraft. |
|
|
| 2.5.3 |
Icelandair has a philosophy
and a set of policies as well as procedures and practices in order to
maximize the safety of all flights. A
more clear documentation of the philosophy and the policies in the
different manuals would be of advantage to personnel at all levels of the
Company. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.6 |
Dispatch of
aircraft from Keflavik with inoperative equipment |
|
|
|
AAIB/N is of the opinion that
the inoperative equipment according to MEL: Right ILS, right GPS and
center autopilot did not in any way affect the operation or performance of
the aircraft with regard to the incident over Gardermoen airport.
However, the inoperative equipment may have been a distracting
factor for the Commander. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.7 |
The
Commander’s analysing of the situation after landing ENGM, and his
decision to continue the flight |
|
|
| 2.7.1 |
After the parking of the
aircraft, the crew became organized.
They had been overwhelmed, stunned and surprised of what had taken
place. Between them they
discussed the incident. They
were not aware of the problems with the high load factors.
The crew did not register these values.
But they were concerned about a possible exceedence of airspeed
limits. However, they were
not aware of the gross exceedence that had taken place. |
|
|
| 2.7.2 |
The Commander’s primary
concern was the failure of the basic ILS data, and when this was remedied
by the BITE test, the remaining problem was the overspeed.
When the technician could confirm normal operation of the flaps,
the Commander decided in co-operation with the First Officer, that the
flight could proceed according to schedule.
AAIB/N is of the opinion there should be clear, updated
instructions available for the Commander whom to contact at an outside
station in case of technical problems.
AAIB/N questions the Commander’s decision to continue the flight
without a more thorough inspection made on the aircraft.
Detailed information of the serious incident should have been given
to a responsible operative leader i.e. chief pilot or operational manager
before the flight was continued to Stockholm. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.8 |
The
situation in cabin |
|
|
| 2.8.1 |
It is the opinion of AAIB/N
that cabin crew and passengers could have been better taken care of.
It is understandable that the lack of time and the technical
problems present put a heavy load on the Commander.
It is also possible that he was not aware of the strain they had
been through. According to
cabin- and passenger reports the situation in the cabin was rather
dramatic. The heavy positive
and negative load factors together with the loose items being thrown
around in the cabin were for them a scaring experience.
Many passengers have fear of flying.
An incident as this one increases the fear and uncertainty for such
passengers. A quick
debriefing before the departing passengers left the aircraft would have
been a great relief for the concerned passengers.
According to letters AAIB/N has received, many of them were scared
and as they didn’t receive any information from the crew or from station
personnel after disembarkation, it has taken a long time for some of these
passengers to treat the personal problems related to this flight.
The company should consider reviewing its procedures of informing
the passengers after unwanted occurrences. |
|
|
|
|
| 2.9 |
The crew procedures/performance
in relation to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) |
|
|
|
The SOP covers in detail the
handling of the aircraft in normal and abnormal situations.
AAIB/N is of the opinion that had the company’s basic procedures
been adhered to by the crew, this incident would not have happened.
Thus the planning of the final stage of this flight in marginal
weather was not thorough enough. The Commander let the flight become unstabilised in speed and
attitude. Correct call-outs
were not made. A detailed
plan for a possible go-around was not made.
The final check list could not be completed since the final flap
setting had not been made. The
approach was aborted late on final in spite of the flight not being
stabilized in correct configuration in IMC at 1 000 ft AAL.
It is possible that the airport’s relatively high elevation may
have been of importance in this case.
Most of the airports which are used by Icelandair crew are situated
at or close to sea level. Gardermoen’s
elevation is 681 ft. When
finally the go-around was started, the Commander let the airplane fly away
from him, and the crew cooperation broke down.
All these details are covered in the SOP. |
|
|
|
|
| 3. |
CONCLUSION |
|
|
| 3.1.1 |
General |
|
|
|
| a. |
The
flight from Keflavik airport to Oslo airport Gardermoen was
uneventful until the descent was started. |
| b. |
The
descent and approach was made in strong tailwind. |
| c. |
The
aircraft overshot of the LLZ initially. |
| d. |
The
aircraft descended on the LLZ unstabilized in height and speed. |
| e. |
After
the Commander started the missed approach, the aircraft entered a
dramatic manoeuvre with exceedences in pitch, speed and load factors. |
| f. |
After
the landing, the Commander was concerned primarily regarding the ILS
raw data failures and not so much regarding the exceedences. |
| g. |
The
flight continued to Stockholm airport Arlanda and back to Keflavik
airport without a thorough technical inspection to be performed. |
|
|
|
| 3.1.2 |
The
aircraft |
|
|
|
| a. |
The
aircraft had been maintained and was serviceable with no significant
defects. The equipment
not being operative upon departure Keflavik did not have any effect
regarding this incident. |
| b. |
The
raw data information of the ILS on the Commander’s flight
instruments disappeared intermittently at times during the approach
to Gardermoen. |
| c. |
The
mass and balance of the aircraft were within the normal operating
limits at the time of the incident. |
| d. |
The
aircraft did not receive any damage during the “upset” in spite
of the exceedences
of both speed and load factors.
As a precaution some components were later replaced. |
|
|
|
| 3.1.3 |
Flight
Operations |
|
|
|
| a. |
A
comprehensive Flight Operations Manual, supplemented by Aeroplane
Operating Manual, Route Manual and Training Manual controls the
different aspects of Flight Operations. |
| b. |
Crew
selection, initial technical- and flight training and recurrent
training satisfy the requirements from the authorities. |
| c. |
The
Company was at the time of the incident not utilizing a systematic
analysis of flight recorder data of all flights for supervision,
control and monitoring of the Company’s operational standard. |
| d. |
A
more clear documentation of the philosophy and the policies in the
different manuals would be of advantage to personnel at all levels
of the Company. |
|
|
|
| 3.1.4 |
The
crew |
|
|
|
| a. |
The
crewmembers were properly licensed. |
| b. |
Working
hours and rest periods prior to the incident were within the limits
prescribed by regulations. |
| c. |
The
proficiency checks for both pilots were valid. |
| d. |
Both
pilots had gone through the company’s technical and operational
flight training without waivers. |
| e. |
Both
pilots had received the planned CRM company training. |
|
|
|
| 3.1.5 |
Organisation
and management |
|
|
|
| a. |
Icelandair
is organized and managed in accordance with the requirements of
JAR-OPS 1 and the Icelandic CAA. |
| b. |
A
more clear documentation of the philosophy and the policies would be
of advantage to personnel in the company. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4. |
safety
RECOMMENDATIONS |
|
|
|
AAIB/N
recommends: |
|
|
| 4.1.1 |
That
the aviation community should review the operational procedure regarding
discontinued approaches. The
company should also review the flight crew training regarding an
unstabilized approach followed by a go-around (Recommendation no 4/2003). |
|
|
| 4.1.2 |
That
the company should consider its plans for colleague support in relation to
accident and incidents (Recommendation no 5/2003). |
|
|
| 4.1.3 |
That
the company should consider utilizing the quick access recorders for
continuous monitoring of flight operations standards (Recommendation no
6/2003). |
|
|
| 4.1.4 |
That
CAA/N should consider the effect of ATC shortening the approaches in IMC
for airline-crew with possible limited experience of the Oslo area, and
the effect it has on the crew’s ability to manage the aircraft energy
and to stabilize the approach (Recommendation no 7/2003). |
|
|
|
|
| 5. |
appendices |
|
|
|
1.
A AIP NORGE7NORWAY AD2 ENGM 4-15 |
|
1.
B AIP NORGE7NORWAY AD2 ENGM 4-16 |
|
2.
AIP NORGE/NORWAY AD 2 ENGM 5-1 |
|
3.
Glossary of
abbreviations |