Narrative:

During climb at approximately 15;000 feet we received an ECAM for FCU (flight control unit) 1 and 2 fault. As the captain and PF I called for ECAM actions and also took communication with ATC. After the ECAM actions were complete I directed my first officer to the communication (company operations manual). While he was reading the communication procedure I communicated with ATC that we had lost all automation as well as most of our navigation and holding precise altitude would be difficult as we would be using the standby altimeter. I asked for radar vectors to [a possible divert airport] and confirmed VFR conditions in the event we were unable to restore the fcus. After the first officer completed the communication we attempted to coordinate with maintenance control for a reset; but had difficulty doing so. We did eventually get the suggestion from them via ACARS to refer to the communication supplemental. I had the first officer brief the lead flight attendant about a possible diversion and that it would be a normal landing. I then switched control of the aircraft to the first officer as I had the reset table bookmarked on my ipad and was able to quickly find the applicable procedure. The reset was successful. With the FCU completely restored I [advised ATC] and we determined we had adequate fuel to proceed on to [destination]. We coordinated with dispatch to ensure that we had sufficient fuel. Two legs later the same day we had the exact same failure; however I had left the page with the reset up on my ipad and was able to quickly reset the fcus without incident after completing the ECAM actions. Both incidents were entered into the logbook as info only write ups and I briefed the first officer taking our aircraft that evening of the events.I recommend that we change our training for incidents like this one to first complete the ECAM; then determine if a computer reset is available; and then failing a computer reset; reference the communication. The communication procedure for this ECAM is long and tedious and the PF has his/her hands full. It would also be beneficial if the communication procedure referenced a reset if one is applicable. Teaching these kinds of failures in the simulator would also be a good idea.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 Captain reported loss of both flight control units during climb. The reset procedure brought the systems back to normal.

Narrative: During climb at approximately 15;000 feet we received an ECAM for FCU (Flight Control Unit) 1 and 2 FAULT. As the Captain and PF I called for ECAM actions and also took communication with ATC. After the ECAM actions were complete I directed my First Officer to the COM (Company Operations Manual). While he was reading the COM procedure I communicated with ATC that we had lost all automation as well as most of our navigation and holding precise altitude would be difficult as we would be using the standby altimeter. I asked for radar vectors to [a possible divert airport] and confirmed VFR conditions in the event we were unable to restore the FCUs. After the FO completed the COM we attempted to coordinate with Maintenance Control for a reset; but had difficulty doing so. We did eventually get the suggestion from them via ACARS to refer to the COM Supplemental. I had the FO brief the lead FA about a possible diversion and that it would be a normal landing. I then switched control of the aircraft to the FO as I had the reset table bookmarked on my iPad and was able to quickly find the applicable procedure. The reset was successful. With the FCU completely restored I [advised ATC] and we determined we had adequate fuel to proceed on to [destination]. We coordinated with dispatch to ensure that we had sufficient fuel. Two legs later the same day we had the exact same failure; however I had left the page with the reset up on my iPad and was able to quickly reset the FCUs without incident after completing the ECAM actions. Both incidents were entered into the logbook as info only write ups and I briefed the First Officer taking our aircraft that evening of the events.I recommend that we change our training for incidents like this one to first complete the ECAM; then determine if a computer reset is available; and then failing a computer reset; reference the COM. The COM procedure for this ECAM is long and tedious and the PF has his/her hands full. It would also be beneficial if the COM procedure referenced a reset if one is applicable. Teaching these kinds of failures in the simulator would also be a good idea.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.