An interim modification to the FCPC software standard is expected to be completed by the end of this month. A later FCPC software standard to improve the treatment of all ADIU parameters will be certified in mid to late 2010, and will then be retrofitted to the worldwide fleet of A330/340 aircraft.

This was revealed in the second interim factual report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the Qantas A330 in-flight incident, 154 kilometres west of Learmonth in Western Australia on 07 October last year, when the aircraft – on a flight from Singapore to Perth – experienced two uncommanded pitch-down events.

One flight attendant and 11 passengers were seriously injured, and eight other crew members and at least 99 other passengers received minor injuries.

According to the latest Australian Transport Safety Bureau report, the injury rate and severity of injuries was significantly greater for those passengers who were not seated or not wearing seatbelts at the time of what it describes as “the first in-flight upset”.

At least 60 of the 303 passengers were seated without their seatbelts fastened.

The report says that although there are legitimate reasons for passengers leaving their seats during a flight when the seatbelt sign is not illuminated, passengers should wear their seatbelts at all times when seated during a flight.

The ATSB expects to release a final report into the Qantas incident in the second half of 2010. -John Newton.