Flybe DH8D at Belfast on Feb 12th 2014, captain's prosthetic arm detached during landing flare

Last Update: August 14, 2014 / 15:52:36 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 12, 2014

Classification
Report

Airline
Flybe

Flight number
BE-414

Departure
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Destination
Belfast City, United Kingdom

Aircraft Registration
G-JECJ

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

A Flybe de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration G-JECJ performing flight BE-414 from Birmingham,EN to Belfast City,NI (UK) with 47 passengers and 4 crew, was on final approach to Belfast's City Airport in strong winds from westsouthwest gusting up to 48 knots. The captain (46, ATPL, 8,304 hours total, 1,871 hours on type) was pilot flying. Before the approach the captain had checked that his prosthetic lower left arm, used to fly the aircraft, was securely attached to the yoke clamp with the latching device in place. While on final approach tower indicated the winds were within the cross wind limit of the aircraft although gusts occasionally exceeded the cross wind limit, hence the approach was continued. The commander disconnected the autopilot and performed a manual landing. During the flare, with the engines at somewhat more than flight idle, his arm detached from the yoke clamp depriving the captain from controlling the aircraft. He made a rapid assessment of the situation considering to alert the first officer and have him take control of the aircraft, however, the first officer would have needed a little time to assimiliate all information necessary to take over in challenging conditions, the commander therefore concluded the safest way to proceed was to move his right hand from the power levers onto the yoke. With little power still applied the aircraft touched down, bounced and touched down hard a second time.

The British AAIB released their bulletin stating following safety action had been taken:

The commander commented that he would in future be more cautious about checking the attachment on his prosthesis, as his check may have dislodged the latching mechanism; that he would brief his co-pilots about the possibility of a similar event; and that they should be ready to take control at any time.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Feb 12, 2014

Classification
Report

Airline
Flybe

Flight number
BE-414

Departure
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Destination
Belfast City, United Kingdom

Aircraft Registration
G-JECJ

Aircraft Type
De Havilland Dash 8 (400)

ICAO Type Designator
DH8D

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