Flight control system event, 22km east of Melbourne Airport, Victoria, on 10 August 2008, VH-ZHA, Embraer ERJ170-100

On 10 August 2008, an Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica ERJ170-100 aircraft, registered VH-ZHA, was being operated on a scheduled passenger service from Sydney NSW to Melbourne Vic. While positioning for landing, the crew selected a 'flaps 1' setting and a number of caution messages appeared on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) screen.

The aircraft operator found that the left number 3 slat actuator torque trip limiter had actuated enabling the caution messages to appear on the EICAS screen. The number 3 slat actuator was replaced. A strip and condition report did not identify any failure of the actuator, and the failure was probably a result of operating in icing conditions. As a result of similar occurrences, the slat actuator manufacturer is re-designing the slat actuator seals.