Version 3 of the Damoda ground control station software included a wind speed readout, but did not actively alert the pilot if the wind speed limit was exceeded. This increased the risk that a pilot would fail to identify a limit exceedance and continue a show into unsafe conditions.
Response By Damoda Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd
In response to the issue being raised during the investigation, Damoda advised that updating the ground control station software to include an active alert for wind speed exceedances was technically possible. It further advised that adding this feature had been included for discussion for future software releases. However, Damoda did not provide any additional update during the draft report review process as to whether this functionality had been introduced into the system.
ATSB comment
The ATSB acknowledges the manufacturer’s positive initial response to the safety issue. However, without a commitment to implement a solution to actively alert flight crews in the event of exceedances the ATSB cannot consider the issue to be addressed. As such, the ATSB issues the following safety recommendation.
To be advised.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Damoda Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd implements active wind speed exceedance alerting in the ground control station software.
