Pilots of an Air France Boeing 777 experienced problems with the aircraft’s controls on approach to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
The Boeing 777-300ER registered F-GSQJ was carrying out flight AF011 from New York-JFK to Paris-CDG on April 5, 2022. The flight had entered the final approach to runway 26L when the pilots reported a problem to the air traffic controller. The aircraft was seemingly unresponsive to the crew’s input and was uncontrollably veering left.
In ATC audio published online, the crew can be heard struggling and calling “Stop, stop,” while warnings sound in the flight deck.
The pilots regained control of the aircraft at around 1,200 feet (370 meters). After carrying out a go-around, they eventually landed on runway 27R without further issue.
Air France Boeing 777-300 (F-GSQJ, built 2005) was on final approach to runway 26L at Paris-CGD Intl Airport (LFPG) when the pilots reported control issues. Flight #AF11 from New York went around and returned for a safe landing about 20 minutes later. pic.twitter.com/zbgxSHkPjZ
— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) April 5, 2022
No injuries nor damage to the Boeing 777 were reported. Though the number of passengers was not disclosed, the aircraft is configured for a maximum of 296.
An investigation was opened by the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) which is treating the event as a serious incident. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were recovered for analysis.