Created Wednesday, Nov 10th 2021 19:07Z, last updated Wednesday, Nov 10th 2021 19:07Z
A Safair Boeing 737-800, registration ZS-FGB performing flight SA-202 from Johannesburg to Cape Town (South Africa) with 169 passengers and 6 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Johannesburg's runway 03L when the captain's stick shaker began to operate, the first officer's side continued to work normally. A disagreement of 10 knots between the air speed indicators was noticed. The crew continued takeoff and climbed the aircraft to safety height at 8000 feet (field elevation just under 5500 feet). Hydraulic system B showed a low pressure for the electric pump, hydraulic system A operated normally. The crew requested to return to Johannesburg, burned off fuel for about 40 minutes and joined the final approach for runway 03L about 45 minutes after departure. While flaring the aircraft the captain's stick shaker operated again, the first officer - pilot flying - needed much greater force than normal to over come the elevator up force. The aircraft touched down and rolled out safely.
South Africa's CAA (SACAA) opened an investigation.
The SACAA released their preliminary report stating: "The operator reported that the aircraft experienced multiple system errors during a climb. The eras were on the following: the stick shaker on the Captains side, the Altimeter and speed discrepancy between Captains side and First Officer side. The crew decided to execute an air turn back to FAOR. ... Post incident inspection by the engineers and the crew revealed that the Captains AOA sensor was broken and hanging on the internal wiring only. "
The SACAA further reported: "The operator reported that their investigation established that the damage to the AOA sensor caused during maintenance where in it was hit by a stand."
