Understanding the Complexities of a Critical Aviation Incident
In aviation, one of the most critical decisions pilots can face is rejecting a landing at a low altitude. But when an aircraft deviates from the pilots' commands under such circumstances, the situation becomes even more precarious. Today's aircraft are designed with incredible safety features, but myriad scenarios can still exist, particularly if standard operating procedures are not fully adhered to. An incident involving TAP Air Portugal on April 8, 2022, exemplifies the challenges faced by pilots during unexpected circumstances.
On this day, a crew from TAP Air Portugal prepared for a flight from Lisbon to Copenhagen. The pilots were aware of the challenges posed by the weather conditions in Copenhagen, which included strong gusty winds and a short runway orientation that contributed to tricky crosswinds.
As they briefed their five cabin crew colleagues and examined flight plans and safety protocols, the captain, a seasoned pilot with approximately 10,000 hours of operational experience, assumed the role of the pilot flying. Given the forecasted crosswinds and relatively short runway, this decision was logical: it’s standard for captains to take control in challenging situations.
After completing a successful pre-flight check and taxiing towards takeoff, everything during the flight proceeded normally. Still, the pilots closely monitored the forecasted landing conditions, realizing that the combination of wet runway conditions and gusty winds would complicate their landing approach.
Evaluating the risks, the crew performed calculations for various flap settings and auto-brake configurations. Their choice ultimately settled on flap configuration 3 and medium auto-brake, giving them a calculated landing distance that would fit within the available runway length.
As the aircraft neared Copenhagen, the pilots reviewed the latest weather communication, which indicated a significant crosswind component. This would affect their landing maneuvering as they aimed to align the aircraft with the fixed runway direction. A crab angle maneuver was necessary for a successful landing, but managing that transition is complex—especially in windy conditions.
With the last-minute briefing completed, they prepared for a standard Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 3. The landing clearance was granted, and they began their descent. The captain had transitioned to manual flight, which is common practice when weather conditions are less than ideal.
As they lined up for landing, the captain began the flare and initiated the deployment of reverse thrust to slow the aircraft upon touchdown. However, strong crosswinds caused the aircraft to drift slightly. In response to the unsettling motion, the captain made a quick decision to initiate a go-around—a maneuver requiring finesse and precise handling to avoid dangerous rollovers or pitch issues.
Unfortunately, this moment coincided with a crucial point when the aircraft was briefly airborne on one side. The activation of reverse thrust on one engine and forward thrust on the other created a severe asymmetry, causing the aircraft to roll uncontrollably towards the left.
In the face of this unexpected behavior, the first officer noted the engine reverser warnings and attempted to redirect the pilot’s attention. The critical struggle to regain control involved balancing the aircraft’s thrust outputs while achieving a safe altitude.
During this chaotic sequence, the right engine spooled up to full thrust while the left remained in reverse, causing the plane to veer dangerously close to the ground, narrowly missing elevated obstacles. The pilots had to leverage their training and composure to correct the potentially catastrophic path.
After a harrowing minute, the first officer managed to retract the landing gear, allowing the aircraft to take altitude and stabilize. They established contact with air traffic control, who authorized their climb request. The cockpit crew subsequently executed emergency procedures designed to manage the unchecked thrust from the left engine.
A comprehensive investigation followed, revealing weaknesses in the aircraft’s engine control logic that enabled this dangerous situation. The incident led to significant safety recommendations, highlighting the importance of thoroughly analyzing aircraft systems and the potential risks associated with emergency scenarios.
The crew eventually landed successfully on a longer runway without further incident, ensuring the safety of all onboard. The event prompted a review of safety protocols and recommendations for new certification requirements for aircraft to ensure that safety systems could be sufficiently disengaged during rare incidents.
Despite the dramatic nature of the situation and the potential for disaster, no injuries were reported. This incident not only spotlighted the need for continual improvement in aviation safety protocols but also underscored the crucial role pilots play in crisis management and the essentiality of rigorous training standards.
In conclusion, this incident serves as a reminder that while modern aviation is remarkably safe, complexities still exist that can challenge even the most experienced pilots. Continuous improvements, informed by investigation and data analysis, are vital for advancing safety measures within the aviation industry.
Part 1/9:
Understanding the Complexities of a Critical Aviation Incident
In aviation, one of the most critical decisions pilots can face is rejecting a landing at a low altitude. But when an aircraft deviates from the pilots' commands under such circumstances, the situation becomes even more precarious. Today's aircraft are designed with incredible safety features, but myriad scenarios can still exist, particularly if standard operating procedures are not fully adhered to. An incident involving TAP Air Portugal on April 8, 2022, exemplifies the challenges faced by pilots during unexpected circumstances.
Setting the Scene
Part 2/9:
On this day, a crew from TAP Air Portugal prepared for a flight from Lisbon to Copenhagen. The pilots were aware of the challenges posed by the weather conditions in Copenhagen, which included strong gusty winds and a short runway orientation that contributed to tricky crosswinds.
As they briefed their five cabin crew colleagues and examined flight plans and safety protocols, the captain, a seasoned pilot with approximately 10,000 hours of operational experience, assumed the role of the pilot flying. Given the forecasted crosswinds and relatively short runway, this decision was logical: it’s standard for captains to take control in challenging situations.
Journey Through the Skies
Part 3/9:
After completing a successful pre-flight check and taxiing towards takeoff, everything during the flight proceeded normally. Still, the pilots closely monitored the forecasted landing conditions, realizing that the combination of wet runway conditions and gusty winds would complicate their landing approach.
Evaluating the risks, the crew performed calculations for various flap settings and auto-brake configurations. Their choice ultimately settled on flap configuration 3 and medium auto-brake, giving them a calculated landing distance that would fit within the available runway length.
Weather and Geometry of Landing
Part 4/9:
As the aircraft neared Copenhagen, the pilots reviewed the latest weather communication, which indicated a significant crosswind component. This would affect their landing maneuvering as they aimed to align the aircraft with the fixed runway direction. A crab angle maneuver was necessary for a successful landing, but managing that transition is complex—especially in windy conditions.
With the last-minute briefing completed, they prepared for a standard Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway 3. The landing clearance was granted, and they began their descent. The captain had transitioned to manual flight, which is common practice when weather conditions are less than ideal.
The Landing Attempt
Part 5/9:
As they lined up for landing, the captain began the flare and initiated the deployment of reverse thrust to slow the aircraft upon touchdown. However, strong crosswinds caused the aircraft to drift slightly. In response to the unsettling motion, the captain made a quick decision to initiate a go-around—a maneuver requiring finesse and precise handling to avoid dangerous rollovers or pitch issues.
Unfortunately, this moment coincided with a crucial point when the aircraft was briefly airborne on one side. The activation of reverse thrust on one engine and forward thrust on the other created a severe asymmetry, causing the aircraft to roll uncontrollably towards the left.
Chaos in the Cockpit
Part 6/9:
In the face of this unexpected behavior, the first officer noted the engine reverser warnings and attempted to redirect the pilot’s attention. The critical struggle to regain control involved balancing the aircraft’s thrust outputs while achieving a safe altitude.
During this chaotic sequence, the right engine spooled up to full thrust while the left remained in reverse, causing the plane to veer dangerously close to the ground, narrowly missing elevated obstacles. The pilots had to leverage their training and composure to correct the potentially catastrophic path.
Climbing to Safety
Part 7/9:
After a harrowing minute, the first officer managed to retract the landing gear, allowing the aircraft to take altitude and stabilize. They established contact with air traffic control, who authorized their climb request. The cockpit crew subsequently executed emergency procedures designed to manage the unchecked thrust from the left engine.
A comprehensive investigation followed, revealing weaknesses in the aircraft’s engine control logic that enabled this dangerous situation. The incident led to significant safety recommendations, highlighting the importance of thoroughly analyzing aircraft systems and the potential risks associated with emergency scenarios.
The Aftermath
Part 8/9:
The crew eventually landed successfully on a longer runway without further incident, ensuring the safety of all onboard. The event prompted a review of safety protocols and recommendations for new certification requirements for aircraft to ensure that safety systems could be sufficiently disengaged during rare incidents.
Despite the dramatic nature of the situation and the potential for disaster, no injuries were reported. This incident not only spotlighted the need for continual improvement in aviation safety protocols but also underscored the crucial role pilots play in crisis management and the essentiality of rigorous training standards.
Part 9/9:
In conclusion, this incident serves as a reminder that while modern aviation is remarkably safe, complexities still exist that can challenge even the most experienced pilots. Continuous improvements, informed by investigation and data analysis, are vital for advancing safety measures within the aviation industry.