Narrative:

In cruise at FL340; engine 1 fadec ovht ECAM displayed. The ECAM was reviewed and completed; with no abnormal engine indications noted. Contact with dispatch and maintenance was initiated at this time. After referring to the flight manual for expanded information; a divert location was discussed based on the flight manual's requirement to 'land at the nearest suitable airport'. After discussions with maintenance and dispatch; a divert was requested through center. The flight manual procedure for fadec overheat was accomplished and discussed; followed by the overweight landing checklist. The flight attendants were notified of the nature of emergency; divert plans; and time to landing. A cabin advisory was accomplished and confirmed. The weather at our divert airport was clear with light winds at 020/05. An uneventful overweight landing was accomplished at 147.6 pounds; with a sink rate of 240 vsi. Emergency equipment was standing by as a precaution. The ECAM associated with fadec overheat primarily referenced the engine systems page for verification of abnormal engine indications. With no abnormal engine indications evident; this ECAM could be interpreted as non-critical with continued flight an option. Without prompt reference to the flight manual the requirement to 'land at the nearest suitable airport' could be unnecessarily delayed or missed entirely. The primary concern of this mechanical failure is either immediate abnormal engine indications; or potential engine failure. Consideration should be given to providing a means of emphasizing the limited number of procedures (approximately 10); that require a landing at the nearest suitable airport.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A319 Captain experiences a FADEC OVHT ECAM at FL340 with no abnormal engine indications. After discussions with Maintenance and consulting the Flight Manual it is determined that landing at the nearest suitable airport is in order. This is accomplished but the reporter wonders why the limited number of procedures that require landing at the nearest suitable airport is not stated in the QRH or emphasized in training.

Narrative: In cruise at FL340; Engine 1 FADEC OVHT ECAM displayed. The ECAM was reviewed and completed; with no abnormal engine indications noted. Contact with Dispatch and Maintenance was initiated at this time. After referring to the Flight Manual for expanded information; a divert location was discussed based on the Flight Manual's requirement to 'Land at the Nearest Suitable Airport'. After discussions with Maintenance and Dispatch; a divert was requested through Center. The Flight Manual procedure for FADEC Overheat was accomplished and discussed; followed by the Overweight Landing checklist. The Flight Attendants were notified of the nature of emergency; divert plans; and time to landing. A Cabin Advisory was accomplished and confirmed. The weather at our divert airport was clear with light winds at 020/05. An uneventful overweight landing was accomplished at 147.6 LBS; with a sink rate of 240 VSI. Emergency equipment was standing by as a precaution. The ECAM associated with FADEC Overheat primarily referenced the Engine Systems page for verification of abnormal engine indications. With no abnormal engine indications evident; this ECAM could be interpreted as non-critical with continued flight an option. Without prompt reference to the Flight Manual the requirement to 'Land at the Nearest Suitable Airport' could be unnecessarily delayed or missed entirely. The primary concern of this mechanical failure is either immediate abnormal engine indications; or potential engine failure. Consideration should be given to providing a means of emphasizing the limited number of procedures (approximately 10); that require a landing at the nearest suitable airport.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.