In a recently released report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) provided new insights into an aviation incident involving an Alliance Airlines flight that occurred on 24 July 2025. The document outlines the circumstances surrounding the flight, which took off from Cairns, Queensland, en route to Brisbane, with 90 passengers and four crew members on board.
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As per the ATSB’s findings, during the climb shortly after take-off, the aircraft’s autopilot inadvertently directed it towards mountainous terrain. This alarming sequence of events unfolded while the flight crew was managing various distractions. The aircraft in question, an Embraer ERJ 190, became airborne shortly after 6:51 p.m. local time, but the crew’s focus shifted, leading to a critical omission during a vital phase of flight.
The report details how the captain, who was in the role of monitoring the flight, raised the issue of “pitch rate” to signal the first officer about the need for attention regarding the aircraft’s ascent. However, both crew members became preoccupied with monitoring the flight path, which caused them to neglect the retraction of the landing gear as required.
Following the aircraft’s departure from Runway 15, the flight was cleared to follow the AKROM 1 standard instrument departure (SID). The subsequent climb saw the crew receiving radio altimeter alerts and experiencing unexpected commands from the flight director. In an attempt to manage the climb, the first officer engaged the autopilot, leading to an unexpected right turn towards the mountainous area. The captain quickly directed the first officer to revert to the correct left turning path.
As the aircraft continued to ascend, the crew soon realised that the landing gear remained extended, despite the aircraft reaching a speed of 252 knots—17 knots above the recommended retraction speed limit. Fortunately, the landing gear was retracted without any immediate negative consequences, and the flight eventually landed safely at Brisbane Airport at approximately 8:44 p.m.
The ATSB noted that the distractions during the take-off sequence were a significant factor in the crew’s oversight. Stuart Macleod, the ATSB Director of Transport Safety, remarked on the impact of the crew’s focused attention on the flight path, which led to critical information regarding the aircraft’s climb rate being overlooked. The omission of the announcement of a “positive rate” meant the first officer did not prompt the landing gear’s retraction.
The report also highlighted a potential cognitive conflict arising from the similar-sounding announcements of “pitch rate” at the time, which may have contributed to confusion among the crew regarding the landing gear status. Additional alerts and unexpected indications during the climb compounded their workload and further distracted them.
Despite the landing gear being retracted above the standard speed limit, the aircraft did not exceed the maximum airspeed limit for landing gear operations, which allowed the flight to continue without further incident. The final assessment emphasised the critical implications of distractions and lapses in communication during high-pressure phases of flight.
In response to the incident, Alliance Airlines has acted proactively by accelerating an upgrade programme for its Embraer E190 aircraft fleet. The updates included enhancements to the avionics systems, designed to improve flight management systems and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. As a result of these adjustments, all ERJ 190s within the airline’s fleet have been brought up to the latest standards, ensuring compliance and enhanced safety protocols.
Furthermore, the new avionics systems comprise electronic checklists facilitating pilots’ management of essential actions required before completing operations. This upgrade aims to mitigate the potential for future distractions and support flight crews during crucial phases such as take-off and landing.
This incident and its subsequent investigation underscore the importance of vigilance and clear communication among flight crews, particularly during complex and demanding operational contexts. The data provided by the ATSB reflects a growing awareness within the aviation industry of the need for continual training and technology upgrades to safeguard passenger safety on every flight.