Fri, May 27, 2011
Agency Cites "Uncontrolled Pitch Trim Runaway" For The
Action
The EASA has issued an emergency AD that grounds the
Falcon 7X fleet worldwide due to a problem with pitch trim. The
document states that "no person may operate an aircraft to which an
AD applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that AD
unless otherwise specified by the Agency ... or agreed with the
Authority of the State of Registry."
File Photo
The AD document indicates that a Falcon 7X experienced an
uncontrolled pitch trim runaway during descent. The crew succeeded
in recovering a stable situation and performed an uneventful
landing. Analysis of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR) and
Fault History Database (FHDB) confirmed the event, but did not
allow explaining the origin of the pitch trim runaway.
This condition, if occurring again, could lead to loss of
control of the airplane (sic), the AD states.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation
has proposed to EASA to prohibit, from the effective date of this
AD, any flight operations of Falcon 7X aeroplanes, to which EASA
agrees by issuing this AD. This AD is considered to be an interim
measure pending the outcome of the investigation currently carried
out by the manufacturer. Further AD action is expected to follow
when additional information is available.
The European AD has an effective date of May 27th, and states
"From the effective date of this AD, all flights are prohibited."
It applies to all serial numbers of the Falcon 7X. The Wall
Street Journal reports that Dassault has sold 112 of the
airplanes. The aircraft which had the problem was flying between
Europe and Malaysia, and no passengers were reportedly on
board.
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