Accident and incident chains usually follow a similar pattern when a number of innocent errors stack to create an event. Despite 4,400 hours of total flight time, nearly three quarters of which had been logged in Cessna Citation CJs, a US-registered aircraft N680KH nearly got away from its pilot during an April 2019 incident near Bournemouth, England. A follow-up investigation showed the pilot simply did not read a critical AFM supplement, despite a close call just a month before.
Tamarack Responds to AAIB Report About 2019 CJ1 Incident
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna Citation CJ1 pilot experienced a severe uncommanded roll and descent due to a malfunction of its aftermarket active winglet system, failing to follow critical emergency procedures detailed in an Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) supplement he had not read.
- The investigation revealed the system failed from a loose screw and that the AFM supplement inadequately characterized the failure's severity. The pilot had also experienced a similar, unreported malfunction a month prior but failed to investigate or review procedures.
- The incident led to emergency grounding directives, the winglet manufacturer's bankruptcy, and safety recommendations for clearer pilot warnings and enhanced training for pilots operating aircraft with complex aftermarket systems.
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