First Boeing, now Airbus alerted about control fault in popular jet

White airplane grounded at airport on a rainy day
By Christian Fleetwood


The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has alerted A320neo operators that there is potential for the jet to encounter an ‘excessive pitch’ anomaly.

Airbus is in the process of implementing an airworthiness directive (AD) issued by EASA, after a potential flight anomaly was discovered with the popular A320neo.

The anomaly forces the jet to enter a dynamic pitch-up situation, which Airbus said occurs under the combination of several specific conditions.

Airbus told Travel Weekly that in this situation the crew can react immediately, “allowing quick and immediate safe control of the situation”.

The conditions required for the anomaly to occur are:

  • Very low altitude in approach (below 100 feet).
  • Aircraft at a very aft centre of gravity.
  • Specific landing configuration.
  • The need to for the crew to perform a dynamic manoeuvre (such as a go-around).

“[U]nder these conditions there is absolutely no aircraft automatic ‘take-over’ from the crew manual inputs,” an Airbus spokesperson said.

Toulouse, France - May 27, 2015: An Airbus A320neo with the registration F-WNEW taking off from Toulouse Airport (TLS) in France. The Airbus A320neo is the new short- to medium-range jet airliner developed by the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

The manufacturer has distanced itself from similarities drawn between the anomaly affecting its A320neo, which does not result in an automatic take-over of manual crew input, and that of the excessive pitch issue that has plagued the Boeing 737 MAX, which does.

Airbus has said there is no need for modification to its existing “operational” and “training” procedures. No in-service issues have been notified, with Airbus identifying a proactive improvement during on-going development tests.

Customers have been informed of the AD and issued with an immediate mitigation solution, which consists of an operational dispatch limitation concerning only the most “aft centre-of-gravity area of the flight envelope”.

Before all flights are loaded with passengers, baggage and cargo, the aircraft will be required to be balanced with its “centre of gravity positioned within an acceptable range”, resulting in a slight limitation in range.

Airbus expects full changes to be implemented in the third quarter of 2020.

This week, Airbus marked its 50th anniversary as an aircraft manufacturer by unveiling an eco-conscious concept for a future aircraft with bird-like ‘feathers’ for wings.

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