Reply #4: The A330 is fly-by-wire. [View All]

In this case it appears the pitot tubes froze up, causing the airspeed indications to go haywire. The real problem with this article is it seems to imply that all the pilots had to do was disconnect the automation and they could just fly it by hand with no problem, which isn't true.

Recognizing an airspeed indication problem is tricky; especially if you're in the dark and getting slapped around by weather. You have to override all of your instincts about what you THINK the airplane is doing and disregard one of the main instruments that help you figure things out.

Additionally, the engine thrust levers do not move during normal operation on this airplane. If you're massively distracted by the autopilot clicking off and the nose pitching up while airspeed appears to be INCREASING, you won't notice that the thrust computer has commanded the engines to idle. Then, when the airplane starts to buffet you think that it's an overspeed when in fact the airplane is stalling and getting ready to fall out of the sky due to LACK of airspeed.

This is an ugly, ugly situation. I fly airbuses and this scenario is hard to deal with, even when it is an expected training maneuver in the simulator. You have to disregard EVERYTHING, take POSITIVE action to get manual control of the engines and then set the aircraft pitch, set the thrust at a level you know will keep you flying, and try really hard not to look at all the haywire indications that tell you you're doing the wrong thing.