Virgin Australia flight crew encountered an unexpected situation last October when a Boeing 737-800 rolled. The pilot’s accidental rudder trim setting caused the roll. This incident raised concerns about flight deck safety and led to procedural changes.
On October 6, the aircraft, registered VH-YQR, flew from Brisbane to Melbourne. During the flight, the pilot reached for the flight deck door switch. They accidentally set the rudder trim to full left. This caused a roll in the aircraft, tilting it 42 degrees to the left. The situation seemed manageable at first, but the autopilot couldn’t correct the roll because of the trim setting. The first officer tried to regain control, but the autopilot’s active role hindered them. After five seconds, the aircraft continued to tilt left, triggering the bank angle alert. The co-pilot corrected the roll, and the flight resumed without issues.
After the incident, Virgin Australia reassessed its flight deck procedures. They changed the procedures to ensure the flight deck door switch doesn’t conflict with other controls. These changes reduce the risk of accidental trim input during flight. The airline briefed flight crews to reinforce safety protocols and prevent similar issues.
The airline’s quick response shows its commitment to safety. Virgin Australia thoroughly reviewed the incident, leading to modifications in their non-technical skills program. These changes aim to increase crew awareness and prevent human error during critical operations.
Virgin Australia, one of the country’s leading airlines, operates a fleet of Boeing 737s. The airline stays focused on the safety and well-being of its passengers across all flights.
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