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Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin: FAA Aviation Safety

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin from the FAA notifies operators of several Boeing aircraft models of potential misleading pitch guidance from the autopilot system during instrument landing system (ILS) approaches. In-service reports found this issue occurred when glideslope signals were interfered with. While not currently an unsafe condition, flight crews following the misleading guidance could result in steep or long approaches. Boeing has provided operating instructions to address this and is working on a software update, which the FAA may mandate. The FAA recommends operators incorporate the Boeing instructions as soon as possible.

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47 views

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin: FAA Aviation Safety

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin from the FAA notifies operators of several Boeing aircraft models of potential misleading pitch guidance from the autopilot system during instrument landing system (ILS) approaches. In-service reports found this issue occurred when glideslope signals were interfered with. While not currently an unsafe condition, flight crews following the misleading guidance could result in steep or long approaches. Boeing has provided operating instructions to address this and is working on a software update, which the FAA may mandate. The FAA recommends operators incorporate the Boeing instructions as soon as possible.

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FAA SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS

Aviation Safety INFORMATION BULLETIN


SAIB: NM-20-07
Date: April 16, 2020
SUBJ: Navigation - Glideslope System
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises owners and operators of The
Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-8 series airplanes, Model 757 airplanes, Model
767 airplanes, Model 777 airplanes, and Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes of potential
erroneous autopilot flight director system (AFDS) guidance during instrument landing system
(ILS) approaches.

At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant
airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 39.

Background

In-service reports have been received from operators of the affected airplanes of misleading pitch
guidance when capturing or tracking the glideslope during an ILS approach. Investigation
revealed that the misleading pitch guidance occurred at the same time as glideslope signal
interference and, in the majority of cases, during glideslope capture. ILS signal interference can
occur when vehicles, aircraft, or other factors affect the localizer or glideslope signal.

Service history indicates flight crews may follow misleading AFDS guidance after disconnecting
the autopilot, which could potentially result in dangerously steep approaches short of the runway,
or long approaches resulting in late touchdowns and possible runway excursions.

The Boeing Company issued Boeing Flight Crew Operations Manual Bulletin S489-50, dated
October 18, 2019. This operations manual provides operating instructions for AFDS operation
during periods of localizer or glideslope signal degradation or signal instability, and the possible
flight deck effects during such an event. The operating instructions reinforce existing procedures
and training.

Boeing and its supplier are currently working on developing operational program software to
correct the misleading flight director guidance due to glideslope beam anomalies during ILS
approach. The FAA is considering issuing rulemaking to mandate installation of this software
update when developed, approved, and available.
Recommendations

The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of the affected airplanes incorporate the
actions outlined in the referenced operations manual at the earliest opportunity.

For Further Information Contact

Hassan Ibrahim, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Seattle ACO
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198, at phone and fax: (206) 231-3653; email:
[email protected].

For Related Service Information Contact:

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600
Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717;
https://www.myboeingfleet.com; or
www.myboeingfleet.com/ReverseProxy/Authentication.html.

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