B767 air carrier crew reported a stabilizer trim malfunction during initial climb which later cleared. The Captain was concerned about destination weather and the possibility of the malfunction returning so diverted to an alternate airport and landed overweight.
Synopsis
B767 air carrier crew reported a stabilizer trim malfunction during initial climb which later cleared. The Captain was concerned about destination weather and the possibility of the malfunction returning so diverted to an alternate airport and landed overweight.
Narrative
I was PM on a flight from ZZZ [airport] to ZZZZ [airport]. We had a couple of last minute maintenance items that needed to be taken care of that threw all three of us out of our routine. We discussed that as a threat and ensured that we completed the ETOPS checklist to make sure everything was done. Taxi out was busy due to construction and having to get new takeoff data. At the gate; we did our new procedure for takeoff data but by the time we taxied the temperature had increased so I had to get new data. We took off on runway XXR from taxiway 1. Initially everything was normal but as the gear came up we got an amber Stab Trim EICAS. The Relief Pilot also noted this on the aft overhead panel. The Relief Pilot started looking up the procedure for that but we held off on executing the checklist because the CA and I were navigating around storms that were building in the area. The checklist was ultimately completed. The CA gave control of the airplane over to me so the CA could deal with the issue. The stab trim light ended up going out after the flaps were up. The autothrottles had also clicked off which was caught by FMA (Flight Mode Annunciator) monitoring. We were able to reengage the auto throttles in FLCH during the climb. The CA contacted dispatch and Maintenance Control via radio to discuss the situation. I was now PF and handling all communications on comm 1 so I am not privy to what was said or discussed directly. After the CA talked with Maintenance Control; they passed along the fact that this airplane had at least 1 history event of this happening on arrival in the last month. We discussed this as a crew and it's possible effect on our arrival in ZZZZ in the middle of the night. All three of us are experienced in the complexities of operating into and out of ZZZZ. The forecast included 2000m and ground fog which in my experience has the tendency to quickly deteriorate into CAT (Category) 3 ops. Considering our stab trim issue and the history of it happening on arrival combined with the complex arrival and emergency procedures as well as terrain in ZZZZ; the CA made the decision with the crew that we were not comfortable taking a plane in there with this unknown issue. A divert to ZZZ1 was coordinated. We had a lengthy discussion about landing weight; including reading the FOM as a crew. We descended down to 12;000 ft and flew around at flaps 20 with the gear down for the last 15-20 minutes. Ultimately; the CA decided to land slightly overweight by 6;000 lbs. The landing was smooth and uneventful. The overweight landing as well as break temp max of 5 for a couple minutes on the right truck were both written up. The CA debriefed the FA's (Flight Attendants) after the flight and the 3 of us had a separate lengthy debrief as a recap and discussion. Ultimately none of us passed the HF (Human Factors) checklist and were sent to a hotel and reassigned other flying the following day.
Second reporter narrative
On departure the Stab Trim EICAS message and the stab trim annunciator light appeared. Then the auto throttle automatically disconnected. We talked to dispatch and maintenance control. This had been written up one month and one day prior as well.Due to weather; mountainous terrain and other minor concerns at destination we elected to divert in the conus. Dispatch preferred ZZZ1 [airport] so we went there.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.