6 feet from disaster-Air France A320
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Retired NJA & AA
Posts: 1,637

This is about the Air France A320 @ Charles de Gaulle back in May. They read back back an altimeter setting of 1011 (29.85) when the controller said 1001 (29.56). That equals an altimeter error of 280 feet.
Based on the radio altimeter they came within six feet of hitting terrain.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...feet-disaster?
Based on the radio altimeter they came within six feet of hitting terrain.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-n...feet-disaster?

#2

This is where common-sense airmanship comes into play... anybody with their head out of their butt knows the meter doesn't just jump 30 points from what the published ATIS said. Ask the question.
#3

The article reads that the initial error was with ATC not the AF crew. Bad setting was delivered by ATC and readback/used by the pilots.
#4

Valid - with inches. 10 hPa (1001 vs 1011) may not seem quite as obvious. Why I will choose inches when some locations offer both. More precise.
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Position: B757
Posts: 73

Ever flown to CDG..??.. Reading your comment sounds like not..
Fly safe,
B-757
#6
#8
#10

I don't really know that about all the airports I fly to. Some yes like LAX and LAS.
The RA is there for several specific purposes. Cross-checking with baro altitude is not one of them. Do I use it for that? Yes, but only at a couple airports where I know exactly what and where to expect.
The RA is there for several specific purposes. Cross-checking with baro altitude is not one of them. Do I use it for that? Yes, but only at a couple airports where I know exactly what and where to expect.
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