Regional Express is changing operating procedures for its Saab 340B turboprops after departures drifted off the planned flightpath shortly after takeoff on Australian domestic services. The revision follows incidents in which crews had to take manual control to restore the intended track, including one departure bound for Hughenden that turned unexpectedly after takeoff.
The change centres on additional verification of waypoint and flight-management system entries before departure, after the deviation was linked to how programmed departure data were interpreted. Pilots were not previously required to recheck the loaded flightplan after engine start, a practice now being tightened.
The procedural update targets the most safety-sensitive stage of flight, where a minor mismatch between the intended route and the programmed navigation data can quickly push a turboprop off course. Saab 340B crews operating regional sectors will now face extra checks around the initial climb path and route programming, reducing the risk of a repeat occurrence.