Cellphone calls blamed for aircraft incidents

Cellphones are being linked to at least two incidents in which aircraft made serious sudden uncontrolled movements.

An aircraft preparing to land at Wellington last Christmas Eve unexpectedly turned right and climbed during an instrument approach. A passenger's cellphone was thought to be the cause.

No fault was found with the aircraft and the possibility of ground interference was rejected.

In another incident, an aircraft cruising on autopilot, suddenly rolled 30 degrees after a cellphone rang in a cockpit flightbag.

The latest issue of CAA News says interference from cellphones and personal electronic devices such as laptop computers and computer games is a growing concern which has prompted moves to have the aviation regulations amended.

Using cellphones on aircraft is banned and can incur a fine of up to $1250 for an individual and $7500 for a company.

The amendment, expected to be operating by July or August, will include any personal electronic devices capable of transmitting electromagnetic energy during flights under instrument flight rules.

That covers almost all commercial flights, other than some tourist flights.

Tests in Britain have shown cellphone signals inside aircraft can be cancelled or amplified and reflections from metallic structures can make signals strong enough to exceed trigger levels for critical avionics.

- NZPA