How Did EVERYONE Miss THIS!? | Malaysian Airlines Flight 134

On the 18th July 2018 an Airbus A330-300 was getting ready to depart from Brisbane International Airport in Queensland, Australia for Kuala Lumpur. Shortly after the take-off roll was initiated, the flight crew was suddenly aware that they had no indication of airspeed on their PFD’s (Primary Flight Display). What was the cause of this and how did the story unfold? Stay tuned.

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Below you will find the links to videos and sources used in this episode. Enjoy checking them out!

Sources
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Final Report:

Image Mud Dauber Wasp

Dauber Wasp Nest:

Mud Wasp Nest:

Pitot Tube A330:

Airspeed Gauge Cessna:

Pitot Tube Schematic

A330 and Pitot Cover:

Infested Tubes:

ATSB Warning Letter:

Brisbane Airport:UNKNOWN

Malaysia Airlines 2: Reuters

Malaysia Airlines HQ: Foxy Who

Malaysia Fleet: Sky News

Aircraft used: JARDesign 330 Airliner:

CHAPTERS
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00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Airport Life
01:09 - An Itty-Bitty Threat
03:42 - Arriving On Stand
05:18 - Forgetfulness
08:03 - The Flight Crew
08:55 - Assumptions
09:57 - Gear Pins And Covers
13:04 - Pushback
15:24 - Dr Reason Was Right
16:56 - Takeoff Roll
19:43 - Rotation
20:37 - First Master Caution
22:01 - Hot Covers
23:05 - Confirming Adr 3
23:46 - Pan Pan!
26:09 - Troubleshooting The Problem
28:49 - The Backup Speed Scale
30:53 - Alerting The Cabin
31:50 - Long Final
32:41 - Wheels Down
33:35 - Findings

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[Ian-fblh]

I was one of the Air Traffic Controllers in Brisbane that night, although thankfully it wasn't my airspace, I was sitting across from the departures controller. There was a lot of activity happening in the control room to get them as much information as we possibly could, ranging from RADAR feed data, to controllers using known winds and E6B flight computers to get an estimate of the actual airspeed of the aircraft. Interestingly we were able to get within about 3 knots of what the ATSB calculated the airspeed to be. Overall it was a good example of how a series of errors could lead to an uncomfortably close call, and also a good example of the system working to achieve the desired outcome. Still not an evening we will really forget.

[danelen]

This really reflects well on Airbus. That backup airspeed system likely saved the day.

[yamatowolfgang]

The fact that there exist a study on how a wasp will nest in pitot tube is simply fascinating and shows how far our aviation industry has advanced

[TWPO]

Really seems like those covers should be designed to easily tear off at high wind speeds, so that even if a situation like this happens, they'll just fall off.

[mhzprayer]

Being called to the cockpit after emergency landing to explain your lack of walkaround inspection sounds...memorable.

[jjunture]

The lack of ego on the part of the Captain is admirable. Deferring to the First Officer during the landing because the FO knows the plane better should be applauded. It may deviate from policy, but it was the right thing to do.

[bowieinc]

The leading hand saying (around 14:10) he wasn’t sure if he had the proper training to do final inspec/ pushback showed true wisdom. Ironically, that type of person, if he would’ve done it, he would’ve most likely noticed the pitot tube covers.

[justvid]

Man, what a rough decade it was for Malaysia Airlines.

[TheKeyote]

The "remove before flight" flags should have reflective tape on them. Our brains are hardwired to alert on a momentary flash of light like a predators eyes in firelight. This would bypass the inattentional blindness factor during a flashlight inspection

[rexwave]

If it’s nobody’s job, it won’t get done. As a ramp rat training for lead hand, I was taught to COUNT all pins with streamers AND show them up to the pilots after pushback.

[hbaviation]

I was actually on this same flight! I was only 9 and I had no idea what was going on. We took off, circled Brisbane a couple of times and landed back at the airport. We were sitting on the runway for about an hour and there were also fire trucks on the side of the runway. I didn't even know the severity of the incident until now and it's quite harrowing to know that I could have died on that flight. It's also quite scary looking at images of the plane sitting there when the captain flashed his light on the side if the aircraft. I now finally know like 5 years later what actually happened. Thanks Mentour!

[normatible]

My RESPECTS to both pilots especially the CAPTAIN who relies and had faith with his first officer

[thesisypheanjournal]

Not noticing things you're not specifically looking for: Many years ago before everything went digital, I worked prepress at a newspaper. The content -- articles, ads, etc. -- were printed out and then applied to the layout pages with hot wax. One day I came in to work and the boss was very very not-happy. The phone had been ringing off the hook. Not only had they forgotten to put a rather large ad in, the space where the ad was supposed to be had "What the f*** is supposed to be here?" scrawled in it. Yup. A pasteup person had used a black marker instead of the blue cameral-invisible marker in the space where the ad belonged, then *hadn't noticed that the ad hadn't been put over it.* She then passed it along to the camera operator who put it on the rack and *didn't notice that there was some obscene writing scrawled on the page.* Then the negative for the page came out of the developer and the opaquer (the person who uses a dull, soft pencil to cover extraneous white marks) *didn't notice "What the f*** is supposed to be here?" scrawled in large white letters against the black background of the negative.* The person who burns the plates didn't notice. The pressman who loaded the plate onto the press didn't notice. And the guy who checks the paper after a short test run to make sure everything is okay didn't notice it. Pasteup, camera, opaquer, plate burner, pressman, and check person -- *all six people* failed to notice. You know who did notice? A lot of customers and advertisers.

[jetdrivertwo]

As a retired B-767 captain, I was fascinated by this video. My sincere compliments to Petter for an outstanding presentation and for many others like it. I wish we had Mentour Pilot when I was still flying.

[TwisterChasers]

I am an A&P mechanic and did many aircraft walk around checks before releasing the aircraft for first flight of the day. To think these covers were missed SO MANY TIMES, blows my mind. I think how much you value your job/position factor into this as well. I took my job so very seriously and could only think, with EVERY CHECK, that peoples lives were at stake. Me doing a thorough job insured that someone’s mother, father and loved one made it to their destination safely. I expect nothing less from others who do this job. By the way I’ve read all of the wonderful comments …guess what I am a woman!! This is the female portion of TwisterChasers my name is Kat !!! I am the A&P mechanic/technician. I started as a Quality Assurance Inspector on F-16’s on a civilian level I think that is why I am so contentious!

[marktwain]

It is reassuring, despite this incident, to know that the pilot and engineers do a walkaround and inspect the aircraft. Passengers have no idea of the effort that goes into making flights safer and this video helps fill in that grey area for us. Thanks, Mentour.

[FlywithMagnar]

As an instructor in a flight club, I have experienced a blocked pitot tube. The story started when a student pilot was about to take off in a Cessna 172 on her first solo. The airspeed indicator didn't move, and she aborted the takeoff and stopped safely, albeit a little shaken. The mechanic identified insect eggs in the tubing, used compressed air to remove the eggs and released the aircraft. A test flight was not deemed necessary. Instead, the student pilot would fly with me. As we rolled down the runway, the speed indicator indicated normal speeds, and we took off. But shortly after becoming airborne, the indicated airspeed dropped to zero. This gave me the opportunity to teach the student how to fly with normal power settings, pitch and our senses. She flew the airplane nicely and landed safely. I never had to touch the controls.

[undecidedmiddleground]

One aspect you didn't mention that I thought was excellent from the pilot was his/her ability to check their ego and be completely on board with the 1st officer flying during the emergency since they had more experience with the particular aircraft. Too often I've seen less-experienced but superior ranked (in the organization) people argue for control of a situation because they wouldn't check their ego. Awesome job from that flight crew handling such a critical situation so well.

[RustOnWheels]

I like these videos best, where everyone survived and the pilots are showing excellent situational awareness.

[patriciaramsey]

This story 'fooled me at first. I was sure the crew would have lost control and crashed. GLAD the FO had so many hours flying and such detailed technical knowledge of the plane. ✈✈👍👍