The Untold Story Of Automation And Qf72: The Shocking Truth Uncovered!

Automation has always been a topic of interest within the aviation industry. It promises increased efficiency, reduced human error, and safer flights. However, behind the calm facade of technology, there lies a story that shook the industry to its core. This is the untold story of automation and QF72, a flight that went terribly wrong.

The Rise of Automation

In recent decades, automation has become an integral part of aircraft design. With the advent of computer systems and advanced avionics, pilots are now able to rely on autopilot functions to handle routine tasks. These systems can control altitude, airspeed, and even perform complex maneuvers with minimal input from the flight crew.

While automation has undoubtedly improved the safety and efficiency of air travel, it has also brought about unforeseen challenges. One of these challenges is the over-reliance on automation, which can lead to complacency among pilots. When everything runs smoothly, pilots may become less vigilant and more prone to trusting technology blindly.

No Man's Land: the untold story of automation and QF72

by Kevin Sullivan (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20241 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages

FREE

The Day Flight QF72 Went Haywire

On October 7, 2008, Qantas Flight 72, an Airbus A330, was cruising at 37,000 feet on its way from Singapore to Perth. Suddenly, without any warning, the aircraft pitched downward, accelerating at a rapid pace. The autopilot system responsible for maintaining stable flight had malfunctioned, and chaos ensued.

Panic and confusion filled the cockpit as the flight crew desperately tried to regain control of the aircraft. Alarms blared, and warnings flashed on the instrument panel. Passengers were thrown around the cabin, some injured by the violent maneuvers. It was a nightmare scenario that nobody saw coming.

The Curse of the Reversing Sidestick

The cause of this terrifying incident was a design flaw in the aircraft's sidestick controllers, responsible for transmitting pilot input to the flight computers. In the case of QF72, the sidestick on the captain's side experienced a spike in electrical noise. This noise triggered a false input signal, commanding the aircraft to pitch downward.

But the nightmare didn't end there. As the flight crew struggled to regain control, another anomaly occurred. The automation system, designed to protect the aircraft from extreme maneuvers, misinterpreted the pilots' inputs as intentional. It kicked in, exacerbating the violent descent and resulting in multiple injuries among passengers and crew.

Lessons Learned: Humans and Automation must Work in Harmony

The QF72 incident was a stark reminder that automation, while incredibly powerful, is not infallible. It highlighted the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between human intervention and automated systems. Pilots must be trained to recognize when automation may be faulty and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all aboard.

Furthermore, aircraft manufacturers have learned invaluable lessons from the QF72 incident. Today, design flaws in sidestick controllers have been rectified, and advanced monitoring systems are in place to detect anomalies and prevent such situations from occurring again.

The untold story of automation and QF72 sheds light on the potential dangers that can arise when reliance on technology becomes excessive. It underscores the need for constant vigilance and human oversight in aviation. While automation continues to play a crucial role in making air travel safer and more efficient, it must always be complemented with human expertise and sound judgment.

No Man's Land: the untold story of automation and QF72

by Kevin Sullivan (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20241 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	336 pages

FREE

A gripping account of how a major air disaster was averted, by the captain and former Top Gun pilot

Instinctively, I release my pressure on the sidestick. Out of my subconscious, a survival technique from a previous life emerges: Neutralise! I'm not in control so I must neutralise controls. I never imagined I'd use this part of my military experience in a commercial airliner ...

On routine flight QF72 from Singapore to Perth on 7 October 2008, the primary flight computers went rogue, causing the plane to pitch down, nose first, towards the Indian Ocean - twice.

The Airbus A330 carrying 315 passengers and crew was out of control, with violent negative G forces propelling anyone and anything untethered through the cabin roof.

It took the skill and discipline of veteran US Navy Top Gun Kevin Sullivan, captain of the ill-fated flight, to wrestle the plane back under control and perform a high-stakes emergency landing at a RAAF base on the WA coast 1200 kilometres north of Perth.

In No Man's Land, the captain of the flight tells the full story for the first time. It's a gripping, blow-by-blow account of how, along with his co-pilots, Sullivan relied on his elite military training to land the gravely malfunctioning plane and narrowly avert what could have been a horrific air disaster.

As automation becomes the way of the future, and in the aftermath of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and Lion Air flight JT610, the story of QF72 raises important questions about how much control we relinquish to computers and whether more checks and balances are needed.

A gripping read in the tradition of Sully: Miracle on the Hudson by Chesley B. Sullenberger.