L188, vicinity Stansted UK, 2007
L188, vicinity Stansted UK, 2007
Summary
On 19 March 2007, shortly after take off from Stansted UK, the crew of a Lockheed Electra Freighter being operated by Atlantic Airways experienced control difficulties and power fluctuation on all engines, subsequently attributed to a malfunctioning propeller synchrophaser. The flight crew were unclear what was occurring and proceeded to shut down one engine and believed that the others were at risk of failure during a return to land.
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Cargo)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Actual Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
Yes
Phase of Flight
Climb
Location
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Inadequate Aircraft Operator Procedures
HF
Tag(s)
Inappropriate crew response (technical fault)
LOC
Tag(s)
Significant Systems or Systems Control Failure,
Loss of Engine Power,
Temporary Control Loss
EPR
Tag(s)
PAN declaration
AW
System(s)
Engine Fuel and Control
Contributor(s)
Component Fault in service
Outcome
Damage or injury
No
Aircraft damage
None
Non-aircraft damage
No
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Injuries
None
Occupant Fatalities
None
Off Airport Landing
No
Ditching
No
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Technical
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 19 March 2007, shortly after a night take off from Stansted UK and in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), the crew of a Lockheed Electra Freighter being operated by Atlantic Airways experienced control difficulties because of power fluctuation on all engines which were subsequently attributed to a malfunctioning propeller synchrophaser. The flight crew were unclear at the time what was occurring and proceeded to shut down one engine and believed that the others were at risk of failure during a return to land.
Synopsis
This is an extract from the report published by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (UK) (AAIB), UK:
"Immediately after takeoff on a night flight from Stansted to Edinburgh, the flight crew experienced control difficulties and fluctuation of the rpm and power on all four engines. As the aircraft climbed towards 3,000 ft above mean sea level (QNH) the No 2 engine was observed to be running down. The crew shut the engine down, declared a PAN and prepared to return to Stansted. The remaining three engines continued to suffer from fluctuating parameters throughout the rest of the flight until, when on final approach with landing flap selected, both the No 1 and No 3 engines appeared to run down. The aircraft landed using only the No 4 engine. The investigation revealed that the incident was the result of a failure of the propeller synchrophaser."
Related Articles
LOC
Further Reading
For further information see the full Report published by the AAIB (UK).
