HC Deb 04 February 1998 vol 305 cc642-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number and details of the incidents where electronic equipment has affected aircraft controls on United Kingdom registered aircraft during each of the last five years. [27008]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Incidents of suspected electronic interference with the instruments and controls of UK registered aircraft in the last five years are detailed in the following table:

Date Aircraft Type Details of Incident
2 March 1993 MD-80 Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when computer games used by 2 passengers were switched off.
11 March 1993 MD-80 Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when various items of electronic equipment used by passengers were switched off.
21 May 1993 SD 360 Incorrect oil pressure gauge reading due to suspected interference from high power ground source.
9 June 1993 HS125 Numbers 1 and 2 compasses split and autopilot engaged. All systems recovered when a passenger's lap top computer was switched off.
17 January 1994 B767 Interference from a passenger's lap top computer suspected of activating emergency lights in passenger cabin.
21 April 1994 B767 A passenger's CD player caused interference on all VHF channels.
5 September 1994 SD360 Significant interference with flight deck instruments in the vicinity of Skelton high intensity radio mast.
Date Aircraft Type Details of Incident
2 November 1994 B747 Interference with navigation equipment. Systems returned to normal when a passenger's camcorder switched off.
5 December 1994 B747 Interference with number 1 compass. Interference ended when 2 passenger's lap top computers were switched off.
11 January 1995 L188 Numbers 1 and 2 slaved compasses gave erroneous reading due to interference from electronic components in the hold.
13 March 1995 MD-80 Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when passenger lap top computer was switched off.
16 March 1995 B757 Electrical interference from aircraft's Terrestrial Flight Telephone System caused left hand air data computer to fail and flight deck instruments to give erroneous indications.
1 May 1995 Augusta A109 Significant interference with flight deck instruments 3 miles east of Skelton high intensity radio mast.
13 September 1995 B747 Pressurisation fluctuations due to the recommended operation of outflow valves near passengers using a video Walkman and an electronic game. Fluctuations ceased when equipment was switched off.
26 October 1995 B737 Sudden change to selected altitude on Auto-pilot Flight Direction System. Interference from passenger personal stereos suspected.
19 March 1996 B737 Flight Management System failed for several seconds. Interference from a portable computer suspected.
21 July 1996 B767 Failure of Flight Management System. Interference from passenger electronic equipment suspected although none identified as being in use.
8 October 1996 SD360 Suspected interference with oil pressure and temperature gauges in vicinity of Skelton high intensity radio mast.
9 January 1997 SD360 Aircraft deviation from desired track. A passenger computer is believed to have interfered with navigation equipment.