Hi everybody,

I have a question about the rudder on the Airbus. Is it true with airbus's that you are not suppose to input any rudder at all? Refering to AA582 the overuse of rudder by the FO caused overstressing to the rudder causing the crash. I understand that was an older airbus the A300. Do the newer Airbus's have that problem? Just curious, been told by a few people that airbus' are pieces of junk. I think they are pretty good but would like the perspective of current Bus drivers.

Thanks,

Chris

 

I never touch the rudder when I fly, but I have never flown that make and model of Airbus. Blaming the pilot for over use of the rudder I thought was a crock.

 

If you believe the NTSB findings, the crew made multiple full-scale deflections of the rudder in both directions during the upset recovery. I don't recall the exact number, but it was in the neighborhood of 8-10 I believe. Va, design maneuvering speed, ensures that a full-scale defelction in ONE direction will not overstress the airframe. It is possible that the tail was overstressed by multiple full-scale deflections. As I understand, prior to this incident, AA training emphasized heavy rudder usage for jet upset recovery.

There was also some evidence that this particular a/c may have sustained some storm damage during the manufacturing process. One of the disadvantages of composite structures is the difficulty and cost involved in stress testing parts. Metallurgical stress tests are much simpler and less expensive. It is possible that the tail had been overstressed prior to that day, and the crew and passengers aboard AA582 had the misfortune of being airborn when the straw that broke the camel's back was loaded.

And not that I'm a conspiracy theorist, but don't discount the fact that it is much easier to blame 2 dead pilots for an accident than a multinational billion dollar aircraft manufacturer.

On a side note, don't forget that Boeings have also had tails inexplicably fall off in flight.

 

Thanks for the responses, I definitly think blaming the pilot was wrong. It seems he was only doing what he was trained by AA.

 

it didnt make sense. they were <10k so <250kias right?

why would he nail the rudder anyway...
but faulty maintenance definately

google search airbus rudder failure and you'll see some pics of the whole thing just missing from the stabilizer.

 

i remember watching on the news... HUGE engine just sitting on a street corner. would have been funny/horrible if it would have landed on a taxi

 

what incident are you referring to?
and why would the plane crash if the rudder fell off? just no yaw control yes?

 

Transport category aircraft are certified for full rudder deflection in one direction, but not full travel from side to side (like in the AA accident).

In larger planes (those that have yaw dampers), most pilots don't use the rudder pedals in flight except during the takeoff and landing phases... the YD does a relatively good job of keeping the airplane coordinated.

 

I dont recall any incidents of tails of Boeing airliners departing in flight.
Please provide details.

 

neither do i, but what about the 707 in japan, the aircraft broke up dont remember if tail came off too..but i dont think that counts because its not a piece of junk like airbus.