What happened
On 9 October 2025, a Boeing 767-316F, registration G-DHLS, was operating a commercial cargo flight from Keflavik, Iceland, to East Midlands Airport. Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, while cruising at FL350 in the Scottish Flight Information Region, the crew observed an EICAS autopilot caution. When the pilot flying attempted to follow an air traffic control instruction to change heading, the aircraft failed to respond as expected. Upon disconnecting the autopilot, the crew discovered that the control wheel offered almost no movement in the roll axis, though pitch and yaw remained functional.
The crew declared a MAYDAY and initiated a descent to FL200 to reach warmer air. During the descent, the crew consulted the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for jammed controls. Following the procedure, both pilots applied simultaneous, maximum force to the control wheel in a single direction. This heavy input, which required approximately 15 times the normal force, successfully released the restriction. The crew then re-engaged the autopilot and continued the flight, opting for a manual approach and an early configuration as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely without further incident.
The investigation
An AAIB field investigation included an extensive examination of the aircraft's aileron control system. Investigators analyzed flight data recorder information, which showed that the right aileron was moving significantly more than the left, indicating a differential in movement. The force required to move the control wheel during the event was measured at a peak of 76.6 lbf.
Post-flight inspections of the aircraft found no physical defects, broken components, or activated override mechanisms within the mechanical or hydraulic systems. The investigation also examined the canted pressure deck and drainage systems. While the aircraft had been maintained in accordance with all required modifications and inspections, investigators could not find any evidence of standing water, leaks, or blocked drains in the wheel wells or pressure deck at the time of the examination.