What happened
On 27 November 2008, an Airbus A320-232, registered D-AXLA, was performing a series of flight checks near Perpignan, France. The aircraft, operated by XL Airways Germany, was at the end of a leasing agreement and was undergoing a programmed flight test to verify systems before being returned to its owner. The flight included the pilot and several engineers from Air New Zealand.
During the cruise phase at FL320, the aircraft's angle of attack (AOA) sensors 1 and 2 became blocked, remaining fixed at a constant position. The crew did not notice this malfunction during the flight. As the aircraft returned to the departure area for an ILS approach to runway 33, the crew decided to perform a check of the angle of attack protections in normal law. During this maneuver, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Canet-Plage, resulting in 2 fatalities (both crew members).
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Investigators examined the wreckage recovered from the seabed, which included the engines and flight recorders. A significant portion of the investigation centered on the physical condition of the angle of attack sensors and the impact of recent maintenance work on the airframe.
Findings
- The investigation established that angle of attack sensors 1 and 2 were blocked, preventing them from providing accurate data to the flight control systems.
- This blockage originated from water projection during recent painting operations performed on the aircraft.
- The crew's decision to conduct flight control checks during the approach phase increased their workload and contributed to the inability to identify the sensor malfunction before the loss of control occurred.