After the spectacular landing of an Austrian Airlines (AUA) plane at Vienna-Schwechat Airport due to a hailstorm, the airline is now facing numerous accusations. The central question is whether the pilots underestimated the situation.
Austro Control, which is responsible for the safe and economic operation of air traffic in domestic airspace, said the storm was known. “We ask for your understanding that we do not comment on ongoing investigations and are awaiting the results of the investigation,” the AUA said in response to a request.
The company emphasized Saturday that in addition to an internal investigation that has already begun, the Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB for short) will also initiate an external audit, which remains to be seen.
Pilot crew released for seven days
The AUA emphasized that the pilots have now been relieved of flying duty for seven days – as is customary in such cases. After evaluating the flight data and initial findings, a coordinated training or training session will be planned with the relevant Airbus A320 crew, if necessary. After this is completed, the crew is brought back into flying duty – also with support from flight instructors.
According to Austro Control, storms were known
According to information from the AUA, the flight crew – according to their statement – could not see the storm cell on the weather radar. However, the flight meteorology of the Austrian aviation authority Austro Control pointed out the “risk of thunderstorms with hail in the region” for the period of the requested flight.
The “weather forecasts and event-related weather warnings for en-route traffic that comply with international standards” were also published. In particular, this aviation-specific weather information would be used before the flight to prepare and plan the intended route, as specified and specified by the airline in the relevant flight plan. This weather data would also be continuously updated 24 hours a day for the airlines and pilots.
Why wasn’t the storm avoided?
However, Austro Control emphasized that air traffic control does not provide instructions on weather-related flight route changes during a flight. “Only the responsible pilot can and may make the decision on a necessary avoidance based on the information available on board about the specific weather situation immediately in front of the aircraft in question, especially with the help of the on-board weather radar.” the question: why the pilots did not fly around the storm.
There was reportedly no pilot in the cockpit
Reportedly, the pilot got to the toilet just in time – the plane was already descending. This is evident from the research of aviation journalist Patrick Huber – krone.at reports. Regardless of the weather, there is much more to do at this stage of the flight than at cruising altitude, so as a rule both must sit in their seats during this stage, wrote the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
The next seat was probably a young first officer with only about 100 hours of experience on the Airbus A320. Huber wrote in an article in the aviation magazine ‘Austrian Wings’ that she may not have been very adept at interpreting weather radar images. The AUA says: “Media reports that someone should only have 100 hours of flying experience are incorrect.”
The Airbus A320, en route from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna, ended up in the thunder cell above Hartberg in Styria last Sunday. First the emergency call “Mayday” was made. The plane landed safely at Vienna Airport and no one was injured.
Source: Krone
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