Description

On 19 August 2017, an Airbus A340-300 (F-GLZO) being operated by Air France on a scheduled international passenger flight from Bogotá to Paris CDG as AF429 experienced significant windshear as rotation for takeoff was attempted and the commencement of climb in night IMC was then not possible until almost the end of the runway with angle of attack flight envelope protection being briefly activated. The associated 15 second reactive windshear warning ceased as the aircraft approached 200 feet agl and the remainder of the flight was without further event.

Investigation

After being initially informed of the event by Air France, preliminary data analysis by both Air France and Airbus led the French Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Agency, the BEA, to classify it as a Serious Incident. The Colombian Safety Investigation Authority (GRIAA) were informed, asked to delegate the investigation to the BEA and agreed to the request. Relevant recorded ATC, meteorological and flight data were available.

The flight crew involved, all of whom were present on the flight deck for the takeoff under investigation, consisted of a Captain and two First Officers. As their performance of the takeoff was not considered relevant to the subject of the investigation, their pilot experience was not recorded.