Air Astana E190 control-loss crew prepared to ditch in ocean

Investigations are under way into a serious loss-of-control incident involving an Air Astana Embraer 190, during which the crew considered ditching in the sea. It occurred during a post-maintenance ferry flight out of Lisbon aviation technical centre, where the jet had been undergoing C-check work with maintenance firm OGMA. The jet was bound for Almaty under the callsign KC1388 on 11 November. Such was the severity of the situation that the crew advised Lisbon air traffic control that they were intending to ditch, and requested headings for the ocean. Lisbon control told the crew that the ocean was 40nm away and that the closest body of water for a possible ditching was a river. Shortly after departure, at around 13:33, the pilots issued a ‘Mayday’ before informing the Lisbon controller that the aircraft was experiencing a problem and requesting a return to the airport. The controller initially gave a descent instruction to 2,500ft but the crew responded: “Negative.” Story has more details.<br/>