Asymmetric (Split) Flaps Failure

 

    There are two kind of problems that occur with Flaps they are total flap failure and Asymmetric (split) failure. I will be talking about the Asymmetric failure. "An asymmetric, or split, flap condition happens when one flap deploys or retracts while the other remains in place (Martin, 2019)." While most planes are designed with interconnected flaps which basically means they can’t move independently, there are some planes that do have the ability of an asymmetric or split flap situation might occur. If you don’t have an advanced flap indication you will be able to tell due to the pronounced roll toward the wing with the lower flap setting as shown in the figure below. There are various causes for this system failure. One is pilot error, and another would be loss of hydraulic systems that control the flaps.

    If this system failure was to happen on approach to land it could cause the airplane to violently roll to one side. This is what happened to the Cessna 208B aircraft from Australia on 10 November 2015. The pilot reported hearing a muffled bang which sounded like a tire blowing out. This required the pilot to take measure to counteract the violent banking that was happening to the plane. As for pilot error when taking off or landing the pilots might not adjust the flaps which could cause an issue with taking off or landing.

 

    Strategies to mitigate these system failures are already applied in the aviation world. For the pilot error there check lists for landing and takeoff have the check flaps on each checklist prior to takeoff and landing. As for a mechanical malfunction the pilots need to be trained in countermeasures to safely land the plane in the event of this happening while in flight.

 

 References:

Martin, S. (2019, August 8). Asymmetric Flap Failure? Here's How To Land Safely. Retrieved August 29, 2020, from https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aerodynamics/landing-with-an-asymmetric-split-flap-failure/