Computer Glitch in Qantas Incident?

A computer glitch may have caused a Qantas Airbus A330-300 to suddenly plunge Oct. 7, injuring over 50 passengers and crew. The jetliner was cruising at 37,000 feet when the flight deck crew received an automated warning of an "irregularity with the aircraft's elevator control system," Julian Walsh, director of aviation safety, Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) told reporters in Canberra. "The aircraft departed normal flight and climbed 300 feet. The aircraft did that of its own accord and then, whilst the crew were doing the normal actions in response to that not normal situation, the aircraft then pitched down suddenly and quite rapidly,” he added. Qantas said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the violent change in altitude of Flight QF72 bound from Singapore to Perth carrying 313 passengers and crew. The airliner made an emergency landing at a military base near Exmouth in remote Western Australia. News reports had speculated that clear air turbulence might have prompted the serious incident. ATSB investigators examining the aircraft in Exmouth, removing its flight data and cockpit voice recorders for inspection. Investigator from the French Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses (BEA) and Airbus Industrie will assist in the air safety probe. A preliminary report could be available within 30 days.