The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into an automated flight control issue involving a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines-operated Airbus A320 on 12 September.
The ATSB says the aircraft, registered VH-FNP (MSN 429), was around 20 minutes into a flight from Perth to Boolgeeda when air traffic control noticed it was deviating from its assigned flight level.
“The flight crew reported that an automated flight system issue had occurred, and elected to return to Perth,” it adds.
Under the probe, the ATSB will investigate the flight crew, and review flight and air traffic control data. This is expected to close by December.
Virgin Australia says it is assisting the ATSB with its investigation.
Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database shows that the aircraft was manufactured in 1993, and is leased from Avation.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
