AAIB: AW189 Incident Crew Did Not Understand Its Automatic Flight Control System | Aviation International News

AAIB: AW189 Incident Crew Did Not Understand Its AFCS

An AFCS mismatch triggered an uncommanded yaw

AgustaWestland AW189 — © Wikimedia Commons

By Mark Huber • Contributor

February 19, 2024

The crew of a search-and-rescue Leonardo AW189 narrowly avoided an accident due to an incomplete understanding of the helicopter’s automatic flight control system (AFCS) modes. So concluded the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) in a recently released report.

The incident occurred on July 26, 2021, at Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland. The helicopter was on its third approach to collect a casualty from a site adjacent to high ground in poor visibility. A mismatch between the previously selected AFCS heading reference and the heading flown by the pilot flying (PF) triggered uncommanded yaw oscillations. According to the AAIB, the pilot selected AFCS hover mode, which resulted in yaw toward the high ground. The PF then selected AFCS go-around and the helicopter accelerated toward the terrain. The crew made a climbing turn to its planned escape heading, recovered to a safe height, and returned to base.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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Leonardo AW189

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