A321 MAYDAY Loss of autopilot, auto thrust & FMS disagree on position

A routine flight from Boston to Philadelphia turned back after the crew of an American Airlines Airbus A321 reported a combination of flight-control and navigation problems shortly after departure.

The Mayday Call

American Airlines Flight 2616 was climbing through about 8,000 feet after departing Boston Logan's Runway 22R when the crew declared a Mayday. They reported that both the autopilot and autothrust had been lost and that the two flight-management systems were disagreeing about the aircraft's position.

Those three indications mattered together. The crew was not reporting a single isolated warning; they were dealing with the loss of automation while also questioning the position information being presented by the flight-management systems. Their immediate decision was to return to Boston rather than continue toward Philadelphia.

The Return to Boston

The A321 was positioned for a return to Runway 22L at Boston. The aircraft landed about 45 minutes after departure.

The FAA said the aircraft returned safely at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time and described the event as a possible flight-system issue. The agency said the flight would be investigated.

What Happened to the Flight

Flight 2616 did not continue to Philadelphia. After the safe return to Boston, the flight was cancelled.

The incident is significant because the crew managed a compound automation and navigation problem early in the flight and chose the conservative option: return to the departure airport while the aircraft was still close to it.

The return also kept the flight within a familiar airport environment. The crew knew the departure airport, the approach options and the local terrain, while the reported systems problems could be managed without adding the uncertainty of continuing farther from Boston.

American Airlines Flight 2616 returned safely to Boston Logan International Airport around 7:30 p.m. local time

The flight's destination was Philadelphia, but the emergency was managed at Boston rather than farther along the route. That kept the crew close to an airport familiar to them and allowed the aircraft to be examined after landing.

Accident Facts

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