Flight Details
Aircraft Type: ATR 72-212A Operator: Eastern Airways Registration: G-IACZ Flight Number: T3458 Route: London Gatwick Airport (LGW), England to Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY), England Date of Incident: 15 April 2025 Total Occupants: Not publicly confirmed; typical ATR 72 seating configuration accommodates up to 72 passengers Weather Conditions: Strong surface winds reported at Newquay; moderate conditions at alternate
Introduction
On 15 April 2025, an Eastern Airways ATR 72 operating as flight T3458 from London Gatwick to Newquay aborted its approach to runway 12 at approximately 2,500 feet due to a flap configuration warning. The aircraft initiated a go-around, climbed to FL060, and diverted to Exeter Airport, where it landed safely on runway 26 around 35 minutes later. Although the warning indications ceased during the diversion, the crew opted to proceed to the alternate due to more favourable wind conditions. All passengers were later transferred to Newquay by road. The aircraft remained grounded at Exeter for over 48 hours pending inspection.
Sequence of Events
The ATR 72 departed Gatwick and proceeded en route to Newquay under normal conditions. During the final stages of descent and approach into Newquay, the flight crew received cockpit indications suggesting an issue with the flap configuration.
At approximately 2,500 feet above ground level on approach, the crew aborted the landing sequence and initiated a go-around. The aircraft climbed to 6,000 feet and entered a holding pattern while troubleshooting the flap issue. According to the airline, the warning indications ceased during the diversion, suggesting the fault may have been transient or sensor-related.
Rather than attempt another approach into Newquay, which was experiencing strong surface winds at the time, the flight crew elected to divert to Exeter, where wind conditions were milder and runway length more favourable for a potential abnormal flap landing.
The aircraft landed uneventfully on runway 26 at Exeter approximately 35 minutes after the go-around. The landing was described as normal, with no technical abnormality experienced on touchdown.
Crew & Communication
The crew reported the flap anomaly promptly and maintained continuous communication with ATC throughout the diversion. There was no emergency declaration, and the flight remained under normal ATC handling.
The decision to divert to Exeter reflected prudent risk management, balancing the uncertainty of the flap system condition against challenging weather conditions at the original destination. The crew’s decision ensured safety margins were maximised and reduced potential complications from crosswind limitations or flap-restricted landing distance requirements.
There were no ECAM fire alerts or secondary warnings reported, and no activation of additional safety systems such as alternate flap procedures or circuit breakers was indicated.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The ATR 72 is equipped with electrically controlled and hydraulically actuated single-slotted flaps, which are critical for approach speed reduction and landing performance. The warning received by the crew was described as a “flaps configuration” alert, which may have been triggered by:
Discrepancy between selected and actual flap position Asymmetric flap deployment Electrical or position sensor fault Control module miscommunication
Eastern Airways reported that the warning indications ceased mid-flight, a condition consistent with a transient fault or a false sensor reading. However, the crew opted not to reattempt landing at Newquay, erring on the side of caution in line with Eastern Airways’ safety policy.
The aircraft remained at Exeter Airport for more than 48 hours, suggesting that follow-up inspections were carried out to confirm the status of the flap control and actuation systems. These inspections likely included:
Functional flap deployment tests Electrical and hydraulic system diagnostics Data download from aircraft monitoring systems Inspection of flap tracks, actuators, and feedback loops
No damage to the aircraft was reported, and no flap detachment or mechanical failure was observed.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Passengers were informed of the diversion after the go-around and were provided with updates during the cruise to Exeter. No emergency procedures were initiated, and there were no reported injuries or onboard panic.
The cabin remained in normal condition throughout the flight, with no abnormal noise, vibration, or lighting associated with system failures. Upon arrival in Exeter, passengers disembarked normally and were transported to Newquay by ground vehicles arranged by the airline.
The total delay to final destination was several hours, but all passengers completed their journey the same day.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
There was no activation of emergency services at Exeter Airport. The landing was conducted under routine procedural conditions, and the aircraft taxied to a stand without incident.
Eastern Airways’ engineering team coordinated with ATR technical support to conduct post-incident diagnostics. The extended time on the ground indicates a thorough evaluation, possibly including component replacement or software reprogramming if faults were found within the flap control logic or position sensors.
There was no runway closure or impact to other airport operations at either Newquay or Exeter beyond the immediate go-around window.
Investigation Status
As the aircraft landed safely and the warning did not progress to a full system failure, no regulatory investigation has been announced. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Eastern Airways are conducting internal assessments to identify whether the fault was mechanical, electrical, or software-based.
The aircraft’s Quick Access Recorder (QAR) and post-flight data logs will provide insight into the system’s behaviour at the moment of the alert. Maintenance records, recent component replacements, and known service bulletins will also be reviewed.
If a common component or intermittent sensor behaviour is identified, ATR may issue a service letter or inspection advisory to operators of similar models.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Pending further technical analysis, the likely root causes of the flap configuration warning include:
Momentary sensor mismatch in flap position monitoring Electrical connector inconsistency in the flap control system Environmental or thermal factors triggering a false indication Mechanical resistance or delay in flap deployment cycle
Contributing to the operational decision-making was the presence of strong winds at Newquay, which would have narrowed safety margins had a reduced flap or no-flap landing been required.
The aircraft’s flap system performed normally on landing at Exeter, suggesting no hardware failure but a possible intermittent signal or control software fault.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
No formal recommendations have been issued, but Eastern Airways is likely to:
Conduct fleet-wide checks of flap system wiring and connectors Review the fault diagnosis logic within the ATR 72’s central maintenance system Reinforce crew training on alternate flap procedures and diversion criteria during weather-exposed operations
For ATR operators more broadly, this event highlights the importance of:
Treating configuration warnings seriously, even in the absence of visual symptoms Assessing landing runway conditions carefully before attempting a flap-restricted approach Logging and investigating even transient system alerts to identify fleet trends
Conclusion
Eastern Airways flight T3458 experienced a flap configuration alert during final approach into Newquay, prompting a go-around and diversion to Exeter. The crew’s decision to divert, despite the warning clearing mid-flight, demonstrates sound risk assessment and operational discipline.
The aircraft landed safely, and passengers completed their journey via ground transport. The event remains under internal technical investigation, with no injuries, damage, or procedural breaches reported.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
If you are the rightful owner of any referenced content or images and wish them to be removed, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
