Airbus A321-211, G-NIKO, 29 April 2011

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: Commercial - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 29 April 2011
• Aircraft type: Airbus A321-211
• Location: Manchester Airport
• Registration: G-NIKO

Airbus A321-211, G-NIKO

Summary:

The aircraft took off from Manchester Airport on a flight to Heraklion Airport, Crete. The sidestick control felt heavy as the PF rotated the aircraft and, after lift off, he noticed the Lowest Selectable Speed (VLS) indication on his Primary Flight Display speed-scale increasing. He reduced the aircraft’s pitch attitude and the airspeed increased. The aircraft was then able to resume a climb.

The Zero Fuel Mass (ZFM) had been used instead of the Actual Take Off Mass (ATOM) for the takeoff performance calculations before departure and the Flight Management System (FMS) had been programmed with the incorrect speeds.

Download report:

Airbus A321-211, G-NIKO 12-11.pdf (330.37 kb)

Published 10 December 2014