1. Missed approach, difficulties controlling the flight path during the go around
During the ILS approach to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on 5 April 2022, without any external visual references, in manual control, the PF of the Boeing 777-300ER registered F-GSQJ expressed his surprise concerning the aeroplane’s bank angle and flew a missed approach. (The analysis of the flight parameters during the investigation found that the aeroplane had a right bank angle of around 0.5°). During the manoeuvre, simultaneous, opposing inputs by the two pilots led to the desynchronization of the pitch controls for 12 s and two brief episodes of desynchronization of the roll controls. The report describes the mechanism by which the flight controls desynchronize in the event of opposing inputs. It also reiterates the need to control the risk of simultaneous pilot inputs on aeroplanes with conventional flight controls and, for this, to carry out appropriate monitoring.
2. Fuel leak en route, diversion, both engines kept in operation up to taxiing to parking area
During a flight between Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle on 31 December 2020, the crew of the Airbus A330-200 registered F-GZCJ checked the quantity of fuel at the beginning of the cruise phase at FL 380, and observed that they were lacking 1.4 t of fuel in the fuel tank. The crew carried out the FUEL LEAK procedure which stipulated shutting down the left engine, the side of the leak. The engine parameters were normal. The crew decided not to completely comply with the procedure and kept both engines operating. They then diverted to N’Djaména airport (Chad) which they knew and acquainted themselves with the NOTAM during the descent. The reduction in the length of runway 04 and the ILS not being available resulted in them changing strategy and carrying out a RNAV approach to runway 23 in strong tailwind conditions. The crew landed 1 h 47 min after the leak had been detected. The two engines were kept in operation to facilitate the turn-around in the bay at the end of the runway, and then the left engine was shut down. In the context of the flight, the crew, who were apprehensive about shutting down the engine, deliberately deviated from the procedure, unaware that their decision had increased the risk of fire.
