Although the design standard for the aircraft (JAR-25) required the control system to be of sufficient strength to withstand dual control inputs, it did not require consideration of the effect that dual control inputs may have on control of the aircraft. Similarly, the current design standard (CS-25) does not address this issue.

In September 2018, EASA advised the ATSB that:

…before anticipating any possible review of the CS-25 regarding the dual control input, the EASA Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) should ensure that abrupt and large alternating inputs as well as dual opposite inputs are limited especially in abnormal, high stress situation.

It can be made reference to the EASA opinion No. 06/2017 on 29 June 2017. For the time being, 8 April 2019 is envisaged as the day from which the new regulatory framework on UPRT will apply.

ATSB comment/action in response

The ATSB notes EASA’s efforts in respect to the operational aspects of aircraft Upset Prevention and Recovery Training and acknowledges that it is likely to improve flight crew’s responses to abnormal situations. However, dual control inputs are likely to continue to occur for a range of reasons, as previously identified by Airbus, and operational training does not address the potential vulnerability of aircraft design to the effects of dual control inputs. Thus, the ATSB makes the following safety recommendation: