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ATSB Finds Alliance E190 Gear Omission Sent Autopilot Toward Cairns Terrain

The safety bureau says the case shows how small slips in a busy cockpit can compound into serious risk.

Overview

  • The ATSB's final report, released Friday, finds cockpit distraction and a missed 'positive rate' call led to late gear retraction and an automation miscue.
  • An Alliance Airlines Embraer E190 left Cairns for Brisbane at night in July 2025 with 90 passengers and four crew after a 'pitch rate' call diverted attention from the usual gear‑retraction prompt.
  • Unexpected radio‑altimeter chimes and a flight‑director cue prompted the first officer to engage autopilot, which started a right turn toward higher terrain before the captain corrected.
  • The crew retracted the gear about five minutes after takeoff at 252 knots, which was 17 knots above the limit, yet the flight landed in Brisbane without damage.
  • Alliance has finished a fleetwide 'load 27' avionics upgrade that adds electronic checklists requiring actions to be completed, a change meant to cut similar errors during high‑workload climbs.