Investigators find power anomaly in engines along with sensor fault

Investigators probing the Cork Airport plane crash that claimed the lives of six people, have found a power anomaly in the aircraft’s engines and a sensor fault in one of its engines.

However, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) said its investigations were ongoing to establish what caused the catastrophic loss of control of the Manx2 commuter aircraft.

Six people, including the two pilots, died on Feb 10, 2011 when the Belfast to Cork flight crashed on its third attempt to land in heavy fog on the main runway at Cork Airport. Six people survived.

The AAIU published an interim statement yesterday — just head of Friday’s first anniversary — outlining its progress in the investigation.

It notes the findings of last March’s preliminary report which stated there were no pre-accident defects in the plane’s engines.

However, it reveals a mismatch between the torques being delivered by the aircraft’s two engines.

It resulted in torque delivered by the No 2 engine exceeding that being delivered by No 1 engine by up to 5%.

A pressure and temperature sensor in the No 2 engine was also shorter than required by the manufacturer’s specifications and a leak was identified.

It resulted in the sensor giving a lower reading that the actual reading.

“This cold temperature signal resulted in incorrect scheduling of fuel flow to the No 2 engine,” the report notes.

The AAIU said it was working with the US National Transportation Safety Board to analyse the aircraft’s flight path in the minutes before impact.

This phase of the investigation will focus on the “complex aerodynamic factors involved”, the AAIU said.

“This analysis, together with the limited flight data recorder data available, may provide additional information regarding the loss of control of the aircraft,” the report states.

“The investigation is also examining the operational control, the regulatory oversight of the operation and the effectiveness of that oversight.”

The examination of the complex relationships between the holder of the airworthiness certificate, the virtual airline which sold the tickets, and the company which supplied the aircraft and crew, is also continuing.

In a statement, Manx2 welcomed the interim report but declined to comment further while the investigation was ongoing.

“This is a very thorough investigation, and with a number of technical and regulatory aspects still being explored, the AAIU continues to have our fullest support and co-operation.”

The Manx2.com flight was operated by Spanish firm Flightline BCN.

The report notes the Civil Aviation Authority of Spain has banned Metro III aircraft from operating. The service between Cork and Belfast has since ended.

The AAIU’s investigation is one of the most complex it has ever undertaken, involving several international agencies and vast quantities of technical and regulatory documents, hundreds of which are in Spanish. It could take several months to complete.

The AAIU’s preliminary report last March found no faults with the aircraft or the airport landing systems.

It established the plane’s right wing-tip made contact with the runway on its final approach to the airport.

Video of wreckage of Cork plane crash