**COPILOT OF THIS FLIGHT REACHED OUT VIA EMAIL** Here's his words on his experience: Normal takeoff until rotation. Then initially it was a slight oscillation, but as we accelerated it got really bad. Compared to the animation it was a lot faster but not as big. So a full cycle in every second, and we had full deflection left and right on the turn / slip indicator. We we’re getting thrown around up front as well. Since the oscillations were so quick we didn’t get much roll out of it. However, we thought the rudder was gonna come off, even as we slowed down. So it was my takeoff and I told the captain that I wasn’t touching the rudders and if he remembered the A300 accident in 2001/2002 in nyc? Just so he knew I wasn’t doing anything. We also had no indications as to what was wrong. Everything was indicating normal. So I was going through checklists trying to find one that would help. When we did find one pertaining to flight controls it said to not troubleshoot. I guess the other thing you didn’t hear was that we stopped on the runway to get inspected for fluid leaks and damage before leaving the runway. The problem ended up being one yaw damper was kicking the rudder to the left, and then the other yaw tried to fix it. So they were having dual the whole flight. A friend who I hadn’t seen in awhile sent me the video saying this is you right? So it was a bit surreal. Anyone who I’ve shown it to has said I sounded good on the radio, but in reality I definitely only hear myself scared trying to sound calm and focused. 😂
That A300 accident, I remember it well - AA587. Right after 9/11, we all thought it was terrorism (I'm just outside NYC). Pilot overworked the rudder and broke off the vertical stabilizer. Crashed into a densely populated area of Queens, I think I recall it killed some people on the ground too.
**COPILOT OF THIS FLIGHT REACHED OUT VIA EMAIL**
Here's his words on his experience:
Normal takeoff until rotation. Then initially it was a slight oscillation, but as we accelerated it got really bad. Compared to the animation it was a lot faster but not as big. So a full cycle in every second, and we had full deflection left and right on the turn / slip indicator. We we’re getting thrown around up front as well. Since the oscillations were so quick we didn’t get much roll out of it. However, we thought the rudder was gonna come off, even as we slowed down.
So it was my takeoff and I told the captain that I wasn’t touching the rudders and if he remembered the A300 accident in 2001/2002 in nyc? Just so he knew I wasn’t doing anything.
We also had no indications as to what was wrong. Everything was indicating normal. So I was going through checklists trying to find one that would help. When we did find one pertaining to flight controls it said to not troubleshoot.
I guess the other thing you didn’t hear was that we stopped on the runway to get inspected for fluid leaks and damage before leaving the runway.
The problem ended up being one yaw damper was kicking the rudder to the left, and then the other yaw tried to fix it. So they were having dual the whole flight.
A friend who I hadn’t seen in awhile sent me the video saying this is you right? So it was a bit surreal. Anyone who I’ve shown it to has said I sounded good on the radio, but in reality I definitely only hear myself scared trying to sound calm and focused. 😂
Air crew were cool as a cucumber. Same goes for ATC. Exactly what any passenger (or piece of cargo) would want. Great job by all.
Awesome that you do these videos and that the co-pilot reached out. Thanks!
Wow! Great testament to VAS Aviation’s reputation for accurate reporting.
You were amazing in a terrifying situation!
That A300 accident, I remember it well - AA587. Right after 9/11, we all thought it was terrorism (I'm just outside NYC). Pilot overworked the rudder and broke off the vertical stabilizer. Crashed into a densely populated area of Queens, I think I recall it killed some people on the ground too.