Air Arabia Maroc A320 at Nador on 8th October 2024 – Locked Flaps

On the 8th of October 2024, an Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320-200, registration CN-NMR, operating flight 3O-122 from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Nador, Morocco, encountered a technical issue while on approach to Nador. The aircraft’s flaps became locked at 0 degrees, meaning they could not be deployed for landing. The flight crew initiated emergency procedures, entered a holding pattern to resolve the issue, and safely landed the aircraft on runway 08 at Nador, though at a higher-than-normal speed due to the flap malfunction.

This incident sheds light on the complexities of flap system failures in modern jet aircraft and how such malfunctions affect landing performance. The situation was managed effectively by the flight crew, and their response underscores the importance of emergency protocols, decision-making under pressure, and crew resource management in aviation safety. This report will provide a detailed technical analysis of the event, examining the causes, the in-flight procedures adopted, the operational implications, and the lessons learned from this incident.

Background: The Role of Flaps in Aircraft Operation

Aircraft flaps play a critical role during takeoff and landing, as they extend from the trailing edges of the wings to increase both lift and drag. This allows the aircraft to fly slower while maintaining control and lift, particularly important during landings, as slower speeds reduce the distance required for touchdown and stopping. Flaps are essential in ensuring that aircraft can land safely on shorter runways or under adverse conditions.

For the Airbus A320, like most commercial jetliners, the flaps have several deployment settings, depending on the phase of flight. The gradual extension of the flaps allows for increased lift, reducing the stall speed, which is the minimum speed an aircraft can fly without losing lift. During landing, the full deployment of flaps helps to maintain control while descending at a slower speed, making it easier for pilots to manage the approach and ensure a smooth touchdown.

When flaps fail to extend, as in the case of the Air Arabia Maroc A320, the aircraft must land at a higher speed, making the landing more challenging and requiring longer runway length to come to a complete stop. The aircraft’s performance envelope changes, and the pilot must adjust their approach strategy accordingly to ensure a safe landing.

Incident Overview

Flight 3O-122 from Amsterdam to Nador was a routine service operated by Air Arabia Maroc. The flight progressed without issue until it neared its destination, Nador International Airport, where the crew attempted to configure the aircraft for landing by deploying the flaps. However, the flap system locked in the fully retracted position (0 degrees), meaning that the crew could not deploy the flaps for landing.

Upon realizing the issue, the pilots immediately consulted the aircraft’s Quick Reference Handbook (QRH), which provides procedures for managing technical malfunctions during flight. The flap system failure led the crew to enter a holding pattern near Nador, giving them time to work through the checklist and communicate with air traffic control about the issue. Holding patterns are often used in such situations to allow the crew additional time to troubleshoot problems without the immediate pressure of landing.

Understanding the Flap Lockout

Flap system failures in aircraft can occur for a variety of reasons, including hydraulic malfunctions, electrical faults, or mechanical obstructions. In the case of this Air Arabia Maroc A320, the flaps locked in the 0-degree position, which meant they could not be deployed. This can happen if there is a failure in the flap motor, a malfunction in the hydraulic system that powers the flaps, or if an electrical signal fails to reach the flap control surfaces.

When the flaps are locked in the retracted position, the aircraft has to land at a higher speed. The A320’s typical landing speed with flaps extended would range from 130 to 150 knots, depending on the weight of the aircraft and other factors. However, without the use of flaps, the landing speed can increase by 20 to 40 knots. This higher speed makes it more difficult for the pilots to control the aircraft during the final approach and requires greater stopping distance on the runway.

Crew Response and In-Flight Management

In response to the flap lockout, the flight crew followed standard operating procedures, consulting the relevant checklists to ensure they could manage the situation effectively. The checklist would have provided instructions for managing a flapless or partial-flap landing, including adjusting the aircraft’s speed, configuring the landing gear, and determining the appropriate approach angle for the higher-speed landing.

The decision to enter a holding pattern was critical, as it allowed the crew to safely work through the problem without the pressure of an immediate landing. It also gave them time to coordinate with air traffic control to ensure that the runway would be clear for their higher-speed approach.

Landing without flaps presents a unique set of challenges, as the higher approach speed reduces the margin for error. Pilots must carefully manage the descent rate, approach angle, and speed to ensure they touch down at the correct point on the runway. Any deviation from the optimal landing profile could lead to a runway overrun or other complications. In this case, the flight crew successfully managed the approach, landing the aircraft safely on Nador’s runway 08, albeit at a higher-than-normal speed.

Landing and Aftermath

The aircraft touched down approximately 35 minutes after the issue was identified, completing the approach and landing without incident. However, the higher speed required careful management of the braking system and reverse thrust to bring the aircraft to a safe stop on the runway. Following the landing, the aircraft taxied to the apron, where maintenance crews began inspecting the flap system to determine the cause of the failure.

After the incident, the aircraft remained on the ground at Nador for more than 12 hours as maintenance teams worked to diagnose and repair the issue. Such an extended delay is not uncommon when dealing with flap malfunctions, as the system is critical to safe flight operations and must be thoroughly checked before the aircraft is cleared for its next flight.

Technical Analysis and Potential Causes

Flap malfunctions, like the one experienced by this A320, are typically caused by one of three factors:

1. Hydraulic System Failure: The flaps on most modern aircraft are operated by hydraulic systems. If there is a leak or a failure in the hydraulic pump or lines, the flaps may not be able to extend or retract properly.

2. Electrical Faults: The flap system is controlled by a series of electrical signals sent from the cockpit to the flaps. If there is a short circuit, broken wire, or fault in the flap control module, the system may not respond to pilot inputs.

3. Mechanical Obstruction: In some cases, debris or foreign objects can obstruct the movement of the flaps, preventing them from extending or retracting. Additionally, wear and tear on the flap tracks or actuators can lead to mechanical failures that lock the flaps in place.

Given that the Air Arabia Maroc A320 was able to complete its flight and land safely, it is likely that the failure was either hydraulic or electrical in nature. Mechanical obstructions tend to be more severe and can sometimes lead to partial flap deployment or damage to the flaps themselves, which would have been more noticeable during the landing.

Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Safety Implications

This incident highlights the importance of crew training, system redundancy, and adherence to standard operating procedures in managing technical failures. The successful landing of the Air Arabia Maroc A320 despite the flap failure is a testament to the effectiveness of modern cockpit procedures and the professionalism of the flight crew.

From a safety perspective, incidents like this serve as valuable learning opportunities for both airlines and aircraft manufacturers. Maintenance teams will investigate the cause of the flap failure in detail, ensuring that any underlying issues are addressed to prevent a recurrence. Additionally, airlines can use such incidents to reinforce training for flight crews, ensuring they are prepared to handle similar situations in the future.

Ultimately, the safe resolution of the Air Arabia Maroc A320’s flap failure is an example of how the aviation industry’s focus on safety, training, and technology continues to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. As the investigation into the cause of the malfunction progresses, the lessons learned from this incident will contribute to further improvements in aircraft safety systems and operational protocols.