IPad App Error Grounds Planes

Dozens of American Airlines flights were grounded after the iPad app used by pilots crashed.

18:35 30 April 2015

An iPad App called FliteDeck that is being used by American Airlines’ pilots and co-pilots for viewing flight plans have crashed resulting in the several flights being grounded. The firm has gone “paperless” since 2013 and has saved $1.2m (£793,600) in fuel last year. 

 

The company has released a statement saying that the problem is now fixed. 

 

"We experienced technical issues with an application installed on some pilot iPads," said a spokesman. 

 

"This issue was with the third-party application, not the iPad, and caused some departure delays last night and this morning. 

 

"Our pilots have been able to address the issue by downloading the application again at the gate prior to take-off and, as a back-up, are able to rely on paper charts they can obtain at the airport. 

 

"We apologise for the inconvenience to our customers."

 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the app, explained: "The issue was caused by a duplicate chart for Reagan National Airport in American's chart database.”

 

"The app could not reconcile the duplicate, causing it to shut down. 

 

"We were able to remedy the situation quickly, and instruct pilots to uninstall and reinstall the app. 

 

"Until the chart database is updated, AA pilots flying to or from National will use PDF [portable document format] images of the chart, outside of the app."