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[jb747]

And another LATAM B777 had a tail-strike. Saw it on the Mover and Gonky Youtube channel.

I'll have to see what data is out there on this one, because in some ways it doesn't make sense. If you calculate the take off data using a weight that is so far from reality, not only will the speeds be wrong, but the power setting will be massively too low. Yet they've rotated at around the right spot. Too little power would give them a result more like Emirates in Melbourne, or SQ in Auckland.

 

[jb747]

Ok, pretty bad.

https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/latam-777-300er-pilots-100t-calculation-error-preceded-tail-strike-at-milan/166239.article

The idea will all of these calculations is for it to be done completely independently. You both source the ATIS. You both read the load sheet for the weights. And you work out the answers on within your own flight bag. Then it is entered into the FMC, and a few minutes later the FMC is checked by the other pilot. You never read out data aloud, only the answers when it comes time to compare. The fact that the FMC wasn't able to calculate a result, and was displaying that, makes me wonder if they really checked anything at all.

Training is always a time when errors are to be expected, and so the third pilot really should be on the ball, making sure that the two up front are both doing the right thing. This is where SOs have often paid for themselves over the years. They're not along for the ride.

 

[mjt57]

This is where SOs have often paid for themselves over the years. They're not along for the ride.

And this "SO" himself was also a captain. As a veteran pax, the mind boggles over how this could've happened.

I wonder if all three pilots had to undergo training again...

 

[jb747]

QF is relatively alone in the way that it uses SOs and FOs. In pretty well all other airlines, a heavy crew will consist of an extra Captain and FO. And historically, they seem to be the most disconnected when it comes to being involved pre-flight.

 

[Quickstatus]

If the FMC could not calculate a take off solution, should there be a lockout such that the aircraft cannot start rolling until it is resolved or unless maximum thrust is used.? Understand that it may throw up some unintended consequences

I wonder if all three pilots had to undergo training again...

Training to follow SOP?
What is LATAMs SOP for takeoff calculations?

....

I wonder if the crew felt some time pressure given that they got the load sheet 10 min prior to pushback. When are final load sheets typically given to the crew?

.....

At least the pilot had enough insight to swop seats with the Spare and FO

 

[jb747]

I don’t know exactly what they did, so I think media reports need a fair bit of salt. FMC takeoff data is approximate, and is overwritten with the flight bag calculations.

10 minutes is an age.