What happened
On 15 April 2025, an ATR 72-212 A, registration G-IACZ, was performing a commercial passenger flight from London Gatwick to Cornwall Airport, Newquay. During the approach to Newquay, the crew attempted to select the flaps to 30° for landing. However, the cockpit instruments indicated that the flaps remained stuck at 15°, a condition subsequently confirmed by the cabin crew.
Due to the inability to achieve full flap extension and the presence of challenging weather conditions, the commander initiated a go-around. During the climb, the aircraft experienced an intermittent airframe de-ice fault, prompting the crew to declare a MAYDAY. The flight was subsequently diverted to Exeter Airport, where the flaps functioned normally, allowing for an uneventful landing. No 0 injuries were reported among the 4 crew members or 38 passengers, and no damage was sustained by the aircraft.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the aircraft's systems and reviewed data from the Flight Data Recorder. While ground testing by the operator initially showed no faults in the flap system, the flight data revealed a specific anomaly regarding the flap command signal during the approach to Newquay.
Following the incident, the aircraft returned to service but experienced a recurrence of the flap response failure during subsequent flights. After consulting with the aircraft manufacturer, the operator replaced the flap selector switch. No further issues have been recorded on G-IACZ since this component was installed.