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A319 captain reports FMGC failure during vectors for approach when the legs page is cleared of unnecessary STAR waypoints. FMGC's are reset and reloaded in time to complete the ILS approach in IMC. The crew is informed by maintenance that this type of failure is not uncommon but a reset on the ground is all they can do.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 944915 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201104 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Dusk |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A319 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | FMS/FMC |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
[We were] on arrival; vectored for intercept to final approach. Approach activated/confirmed; cleared STAR's last navigation point to set up approach and first officer nd failed blank. Captain nd showed 'map not avail.' airport and approach was lost. Navigation references in both FMGC's were gone. Auto pilot lost. Flight display's lost on both sides. FMGC's reset; and autopilot reengaged. Reset destination and reentered approach and landing data on performance page. Managed speed would not engage. [We] flew selected speed to touchdown. FMGC's failed when deleting last waypoint on STAR. Maintenance stated this has happened on other flights.this is a critical phase of flight in congested airspace. Maintenance suggested they would reset the FMGC's and certify the aircraft airworthy; though they registered error codes with no apparent explanation. Maintenance agreed this was an on board anomaly with the FMGC's. The aircraft should not be dispatched with this anomaly. The flight should not be dispatched when an IMC approach is likely. Known equipment ambiguities should not dispatch with a reset only. [We were in] too critical a phase of flight to lose mapping; automation; and approach capability.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A319 Captain reports FMGC failure during vectors for approach when the legs page is cleared of unnecessary STAR waypoints. FMGC's are reset and reloaded in time to complete the ILS approach in IMC. The crew is informed by Maintenance that this type of failure is not uncommon but a reset on the ground is all they can do.
Narrative: [We were] on arrival; vectored for intercept to final approach. Approach activated/confirmed; cleared STAR's last navigation point to set up approach and First Officer ND failed blank. Captain ND showed 'Map Not Avail.' Airport and approach was lost. Navigation references in both FMGC's were gone. Auto pilot lost. Flight Display's lost on both sides. FMGC's reset; and autopilot reengaged. Reset destination and reentered approach and landing data on performance page. Managed speed would not engage. [We] flew selected speed to touchdown. FMGC's failed when deleting last waypoint on STAR. Maintenance stated this has happened on other flights.This is a critical phase of flight in congested airspace. Maintenance suggested they would reset the FMGC's and certify the aircraft airworthy; though they registered error codes with no apparent explanation. Maintenance agreed this was an on board anomaly with the FMGC's. The aircraft should not be dispatched with this anomaly. The flight should not be dispatched when an IMC approach is likely. Known equipment ambiguities should not dispatch with a reset only. [We were in] too critical a phase of flight to lose mapping; automation; and approach capability.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.