NTSB Cites Flight Control Software in Praetor 500 Hard Landing

The National Transportation Safety Board identified flight control software limitations as a primary factor in a hard landing involving an Embraer Praetor 500 operated by Flexjet. The accident occurred Sept. 21, 2023, at St. Simons Island Airport in Georgia, where the aircraft sustained substantial damage but no injuries were reported.

Investigation findings indicate the fly-by-wire system's angle of attack limiter protection engaged unexpectedly during approach due to design logic in the flight control computer's Build 3 software. ANAC issued airworthiness directive AD 2024-02-02R1, requiring a software update to revise AOA disengagement criteria for low-altitude scenarios. Embraer also released an operational bulletin providing guidance on approach speed adjustments to avoid unintended limiter activation.

The incident highlights the critical role of avionics software in modern flight safety systems. NTSB data revealed 43 prior AOA limiter activations within the operator's fleet, emphasizing the need for enhanced crew training and flight data monitoring programs to address specific protection logic during low-altitude approaches.