 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
A319 captain performing post maintenance test flight experiences porpoising as the aircraft accelerates to 290 knots. The left elevator is visibly moving on the flight control synoptic page. Airspeed is reduced; an emergency is declared; and flight returns to the departure airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1071738 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201303 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A319 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Elevator |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Check Pilot Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
Aircraft exiting a 2 south check at [a contract maintenance] facility. During acceleration climbing above 10;000 feet at 290 knots; we experienced porpoising which became greater with increasing speed. First officer noticed the left elevator indication moving up and down. We reduced speed to 220 knots; declared an emergency with center. Returned directly to the airport; landed; cancelled the emergency; and taxied to [contract maintenance] without further incident. Test flight failed. Probably caused by left elevator servo or actuator (only my opinion.)
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A319 Captain performing post maintenance test flight experiences porpoising as the aircraft accelerates to 290 knots. The left elevator is visibly moving on the flight control synoptic page. Airspeed is reduced; an emergency is declared; and flight returns to the departure airport.
Narrative: Aircraft exiting a 2 S check at [a contract maintenance] facility. During acceleration climbing above 10;000 feet at 290 knots; we experienced porpoising which became greater with increasing speed. First Officer noticed the left elevator indication moving up and down. We reduced speed to 220 knots; declared an emergency with Center. Returned directly to the airport; landed; cancelled the emergency; and taxied to [contract maintenance] without further incident. TEST FLIGHT FAILED. Probably caused by left elevator servo or actuator (only my opinion.)
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.