West Atlantic AT72 enroute on Mar 7th 2023, rudder restriction

Last Update: March 7, 2024 / 20:10:38 GMT/Zulu time

Bookmark this article
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Mar 7, 2023

Classification
Incident

Airline
West Atlantic

Flight number
NPT-07B

Departure
East Midlands, United Kingdom

Destination
Belfast International, United Kingdom

Aircraft Registration
G-NPTF

Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200

ICAO Type Designator
AT72

A West Atlantic Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-200, registration G-NPTF performing flight NPT-07B from East Midlands,EN to Belfast International,NI (UK), was enroute when the aircraft suffered restricted rudder travel. The aircraft continued to Aldergrove airport for a safe landing on runway 25 about one hour after departure.

The UK AAIB rated the occurrence a serious incident and opened an investigation, also stating that the rudder travel restriction continued after landing and during taxi.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Belfast 9 days after the landing.

On Jan 17th 2023 the aircraft had suffered electrical issues keeping the aircraft on the ground for about a week, see Incident: West Atlantic AT72 at East Midlands on Jan 17th 2023, electrical issues.

On Mar 7th 2024 the AAIB reported: "During the landing flare the flight crew encountered a rudder control restriction and used nosewheel steering for directional control on the runway. Examination of the aircraft the following day revealed that the rudder was almost immoveable, either using the rudder pedals in the cockpit or by physically pressing on the rudder itself. The investigation is nearing completion and has focused on determining the reason for the restriction in the rudder control system."
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Mar 7, 2023

Classification
Incident

Airline
West Atlantic

Flight number
NPT-07B

Departure
East Midlands, United Kingdom

Destination
Belfast International, United Kingdom

Aircraft Registration
G-NPTF

Aircraft Type
ATR ATR-72-200

ICAO Type Designator
AT72

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
Article source

You can read 2 more free articles without a subscription.

Subscribe now and continue reading without any limits!

Subscribe now
Are you a subscriber? Login
Subscribe

Read unlimited articles and receive our daily update briefing. Gain better insights into what is happening in commercial aviation safety.

Compare our plans

Send tip

Support AeroInside by sending a small tip amount.

Send tip

Related articles

Newest articles

Subscribe today

Are you researching aviation incidents? Get access to AeroInside Insights, unlimited read access and receive the daily newsletter.

Pick your plan and subscribe

Partner

Blockaviation logo

A new way to document and demonstrate airworthiness compliance and aircraft value. Find out more.

ELITE Logo

ELITE Simulation Solutions is a leading global provider of Flight Simulation Training Devices, IFR training software as well as flight controls and related services. Find out more.

Blue Altitude Logo

Your regulation partner, specialists in aviation safety and compliance; providing training, auditing, and consultancy services. Find out more.

AeroInside Blog
Popular aircraft
Airbus A320
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 MAX
Popular airlines
American Airlines
United
Delta
Air Canada
Lufthansa
British Airways