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Crj captain describes FMS entry errors apparently caused by the design of the keyboard. Multiple characters are often entered with a single keystroke; requiring vigilance and time consuming corrections.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 983353 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201112 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Regional Jet CL65 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | FMS/FMC |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
I believe that data entry keyboard on the flight management system (4200) collins FMS; used on our canadair rj's; is a hazard in that pressing any button often causes multiple entries; duplicate entries or no entry at all. It is difficult to enter data correctly with this keyboard and far too often causes errors on flight plans weight and balance and other critical details in programing the FMS. For example; when entering 4 passengers; pressing '4' causes 44 or even 444 to be entered. Typing in a fix or waypoint; a pilot must often back up and correct the duplicate key entry causing a hazard when changing a flight plan in flight; particularly when an entry must be made in a short time. There are many errors caused by this in actual flight and flight planning; as incorrect fixes have been generated; incorrect weight and balance data entered; etc. Please have the manufacturer look into the design of this keyboard.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: CRJ Captain describes FMS entry errors apparently caused by the design of the keyboard. Multiple characters are often entered with a single keystroke; requiring vigilance and time consuming corrections.
Narrative: I believe that data entry keyboard on the Flight Management System (4200) Collins FMS; used on our Canadair RJ's; is a hazard in that pressing any button often causes multiple entries; duplicate entries or no entry at all. It is difficult to enter data correctly with this keyboard and far too often causes errors on flight plans weight and balance and other critical details in programing the FMS. For example; when entering 4 passengers; pressing '4' causes 44 or even 444 to be entered. Typing in a fix or waypoint; a pilot must often back up and correct the duplicate key entry causing a hazard when changing a flight plan in flight; particularly when an entry must be made in a short time. There are many errors caused by this in actual flight and flight planning; as incorrect fixes have been generated; incorrect weight and balance data entered; etc. Please have the manufacturer look into the design of this keyboard.
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.