Date: 17th December 2024
Location: 600 nautical miles south of Keflavik, Iceland
Aircraft: Airbus A330-900, registration G-VLDY
Operator: Virgin Atlantic
Flight Number: VS-118
Route: Miami, FL (USA) to London Heathrow, EN (UK)
Occupants: Unknown
Injuries: None reported
Summary of Events
On 17th December 2024, Virgin Atlantic Flight VS-118, operating an Airbus A330-900, encountered multiple system failures while cruising at FL370 over the Atlantic Ocean. The crew reported malfunctions involving the autopilot and Flight Controls Alternate Law, along with CPDLC (Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications) failures.
To ensure safe operations, the crew descended to FL280 to exit RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minima) airspace, where tighter vertical separation standards apply. Despite significant system impairments, the aircraft continued its journey and landed safely at London Heathrow’s runway 27R, approximately 3.5 hours later.
Aircraft Details
• Type: Airbus A330-900
• Registration: G-VLDY
• Operator: Virgin Atlantic
• Engines: 2x Rolls-Royce Trent 7000
• Configuration: Passenger
Sequence of Events
1. Cruise Phase:
• The aircraft was cruising at FL370 when the crew experienced multiple system failures, including:
• Autopilot malfunction
• Flight Controls Alternate Law activation
• Trim 1 and Trim 2 ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) messages
• Loss of CPDLC, requiring the crew to revert to HF (High-Frequency) radio for communication.
2. Descent to FL280:
• To mitigate risks, the crew descended to FL280, exiting RVSM airspace, ensuring safer operations with reduced navigation support.
3. Hand-Flying Over the Atlantic:
• Due to autopilot failure, the crew reportedly hand-flew the aircraft for a significant portion of the transatlantic journey, relying on manual inputs to maintain stability and navigation.
4. Communication with Engineering:
• Using VHF radio contact with another Virgin Atlantic aircraft, the crew relayed information to engineering teams to diagnose issues and determine the best course of action.
5. Landing at Heathrow:
• The aircraft landed safely on runway 27R at London Heathrow without further incident.
Initial Findings
1. Systems Malfunctions:
• Failures in the autopilot and Flight Controls Alternate Law suggest issues with the aircraft’s flight control systems.
2. Navigation Challenges:
• The loss of CPDLC likely increased workload, requiring the crew to revert to HF communications over the Atlantic.
3. Crew Performance:
• The crew’s ability to safely manage the flight through extensive manual control and communication challenges highlights the importance of rigorous training and decision-making protocols.
Safety Risks
1. Increased Pilot Workload:
• Autopilot failure and reliance on manual controls increase the risk of fatigue and operational errors.
2. Communication Limitations:
• The loss of CPDLC over remote areas underscores the need for robust backup communication systems.
3. Airspace Compliance:
• Exiting RVSM airspace minimized collision risks but required constant vigilance from the crew.
Recommendations
1. System Diagnostics:
• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the flight control and communication systems to determine root causes of the failures.
2. Training Enhancements:
• Reinforce manual flying skills for long-haul operations to prepare crews for scenarios involving multiple system failures.
3. Communication Redundancy:
• Evaluate and enhance backup communication protocols for transoceanic flights to ensure continuous contact.
4. Maintenance Review:
• Review maintenance records and implement preventive measures to address potential system vulnerabilities in the A330-900 fleet.
Safety Lessons
This incident underscores the importance of crew training, robust system diagnostics, and communication protocols in ensuring the safe resolution of in-flight emergencies. The crew’s prompt actions and decision-making were critical to the successful outcome, highlighting the resilience of both pilots and modern aircraft systems in complex scenarios.
Disclaimer
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
