Incident Overview
On June 3, 2015, an Embraer E175 operated by PLL LOT was conducting a takeoff from runway 15 at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). During the takeoff roll, at approximately 53 knots, the EICAS displayed an AT FAIL message and a MASTER CAUTION caution. At around 58 knots, the master caution remained active. When the aircraft reached about 80 knots, the pilot flying (first officer) noticed a loss of speed indication on the primary flight display (PFD II). The flight crew decided to reject the takeoff. The rejected takeoff procedure was initiated at 117 knots, which was below the V1 speed. The maximum speed recorded by the flight data recorder was 123 knots. After completing the rejected takeoff procedure, 1,500 meters of usable runway remained. The aircraft taxied without further incident to the parking apron. All 22 occupants on board were uninjured.
Cause and Contributing Factors
The investigation determined that the loss of speed indication on PFD II was caused by contamination of the Pitot tubes ADSP 2 and ADSP 4 on the right side of the aircraft fuselage by butterfly larvae. A contributing factor was the possible absence of covers on the Pitot tubes during maintenance or repairs conducted in the days preceding the incident.
Preventive Measures
In response to the incident, the operator registered the event in its Safety Management System (SMS) database. A dedicated meeting of the Safety Response Group for the area of Continuous Airworthiness Management was convened, including representatives from the maintenance company, to analyze existing aircraft maintenance procedures and consider introducing additional protective barriers for preparing and inspecting aircraft during parking. Another dedicated meeting of the Safety Response Group for Flight Operations was also held to analyze existing takeoff procedures for flight crews and consider adding protective barriers. Additionally, a proposal was made to add a checkbox in the LDP 60 logbook to indicate the installation and removal of Pitot tube covers and to record the Parking Preparation task.
No safety recommendations were issued by the commission.