Iberia A320 Emergency Landing At Dublin

[rab-k]

Mate on a flight to Dublin this eve was diverted to Shannon due aircraft on the ground at Dublin with a fire on board.:eek:

No other details. Anyone with more on the subject:confused:

[FlyingV]

Just been on the 9 O'Clock News. Iberia inbound from Barcelona. I was interrupted by a caller to the door so don't know any more.

Don't know what time it happened but airport is open and sounds busy.

[DaveMc]

Hi All
Parents were on the flight. They said that everything was normal until after landing. Aircraft stopped on the runway. Parents were sitting to the rear of the plane and said that the fire crew started to foam down the rear of the plane at that moment. As this was happening a full evacuation was called for. They reported that there was no injuries but there was some panic, understandable I'm sure. They were all bused to the terminal and awaiting more news.
It was flight number IB 4192 from Barcelona. The aircraft had been delayed by about 2 hours and I believe it arrived at around 8pm.
Sounds like a good job by all concerned. If I hear anymore news I will post.
Dave

[AICUS]

Was just talking to EI crew who landed in DUB half an hour ago. Heard it was an APU fire.

No other details at the moment.

[Nollaig]

From http://www.rte.ie/news:
Emergency evacuation of plane in Dublin
03 May 2006 22:26
An Iberian Airlines plane has undergone an emergency evacuation at Dublin airport.
The evacuation took place at around 8pm, immediately after the inward bound plane, with 97 passengers and six crew on board, had landed.
The alert began as the Airbus A320 from Barcelona was preparing to land.
It became apparent that there was a fire on one of its power units.
The aircraft landed safely and fire engines were deployed around the plane causing the airport to be closed for a short time.
It re-opened at around 8.30pm.
All passengers and crew were safely taken from the plane to be debriefed by airport staff.
An investigation into the incident is underway.

[Flame]

Picture here after the event ....

http://www.irishairpics.com/database/photo/1013361/

[Brian McGrath]

An Iberian Airbus A320 on approach to Dublin Airport had to make an emergency landing after a fire broke out in one of its power generators. All 97 passengers and 6 crew made emergency exits down the chutes from the plane while Airport fire tenders tackled the fire.The Airport was shut down for over an hour.The incident happened at around 8pm tonight.

No one was injured but I shudder to think what could have happened if they were not on approach to Dublin and had been further out from the Airport

[havana_club69]

Thank God no one was injured. I was passing around the airport this evening at about that time. I didnt see the plane land so it must have been just after 8. I echo your comment Brian, atleast they were on approach, it could have been so much worse!

[cheekycapt]

Flight : IB 4192 with 97 passengers onboard and crew
Barcelona to Dublin

As a witness to this emergency on my teabreak i would first like to say that the RTE report on the incident is misleading ! The airport did not close down for 30mins! The incident occurred at 8.02pm exactly ! I saw the Iberia A320 land on runway 16/34 ! When the plane grounded to a halt a small cloud of smoke could be seen coming from the rear of the plane when it was grounded. A full evacuation took place ! An incoming FR flight on its final approach to land on runway 10/28 was ordered to abort its landing and it was diverted to Shannon. At first there was no Fire Engines deployed to the scene. A fire patrol SUV was first on the scene followed by the Airport Police, Garda Sionchana and Ambulance ! What concerns me the most is why took so long for a Fire Engine to be deployed on the scene ! It took while for a Fire Engine to be deployed ! Full credit must be given to the crew onboard ! Thankfully there were no injuries !

[Ignition Override]

I. Boner: I've only peeked at system acronyms on the Airbus, but the terminology seems to avoid any possible duplication of names used on aircraft built by (shhh...let's just whisper the dreaded name...) Boeing.
Woops!:ooh:

This might tread upon some very brittle, delicate turf (protection).

[ORAC]

Boner, after the Saudi Flight 163 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudia_Flight_163) incident, no you do not take the extra time to clear the runway, you evacuate as soon as you stop.

[WindSheer]

Why on earth would you spend time vacating if you have a confirmed fire on board? Because the airports operations could be disrupted?
Forget the airport, stop and get the hell out of there..........well done Iberia crew!:ok:

[Brian McGrath]

The print media have as usual gone over the top on this incident this morning with some saying the plane "Landed in Flames" and another said the "Flames were coming from the Cockpit" how they are allowed to print this type of rubbish without first checking with the proper authorities is beyond me another one said the flames were "Spotted By The Air Traffic Controllers" .

The above headlines were quoted on RTE Radio this morning

The important thing here is to estabilish the truth about how it began before putting out misleading headlines.

[jamesiek]

This is the most unbiased and correct report i can find,

Taken from the Irish Independent



MORE than 100 passengers were dramatically evacuated using emergency chutes from a plane at Dublin Airport last night after fire broke out at the rear.
Dublin airport was forced to shut down all operations for half an hour while a full emergency response plan went into operation.
The 97 passengers and six crew were evacuated from the Iberia airlines plane after fire broke out at a rear power unit on the tail fin.
The emergency alert was launched just as the Iberia A320 Airbus from Barcelona landed. It is understood the plane cleared the runway and was taxiing en route to the stand when the auxiliary power unit was turned on and went on fire.
Fire brigade units at the airport responded immediately, and the passengers and crew were evacuated using the emergency chutes.
Initial reports were that it may have been the result of an electrical problem.
Investigations are now likely to be carried out by the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Transport, the regulator for Iberia and the Spanish regulatory authority.
A spokesperson for the Dublin Airport Authority said operations at the airport were suspended just before 8pm when the emergency plan went into action. Support was provided by the Dublin fire brigade, with two units and a senior officer involved in the emergency response.
An additional six units of the fire brigade were on standby along with six health board ambulances. The units came from the Kilbarrack, Finglas and Phibsboro fire stations.
The airport spokesperson said operations returned to normal shortly after the emergency.
A number of fire trucks remained surrounding the plane after all of the passengers had been evacuated.
One passenger was taken to Beaumont hospital suffering from a chest pain.
The remaining passengers were brought into the terminal building and were aided by staff from the handling company Aviance. The drama comes just weeks after an alert was simulated at the airport to test planned responses to an emergency.
The exercise involved the pilot of a Paris to Dublin flight issuing a mayday because of smoke in the cabin. When the plane landed, rescue vehicles were deployed to take passengers to 'safety'

[Shamrock 602]

Can I believe what I am reading about the fire service taking some time to reach the aircraft? The report above from the Irish Independent is not entirely clear on this:
"Support was provided by the Dublin fire brigade, with two units and a senior officer involved in the emergency response.
"An additional six units of the fire brigade were on standby along with six health board ambulances. The units came from the Kilbarrack, Finglas and Phibsboro fire stations." [neighbouring suburbs]
So, were fire tenders from the regular city fire brigade there in addition to the airport's fire service, or instead of it?
I'd like to know to how worried I should be...
Shamrock 602

[jamesiek]

I presume they have more than 2 tenders at Dublin Airport Fire station! If so why are the local fire brigade involved.

Is there a chance that they only have enough fire staff for 2 tenders at that time?? Surely not!

Maybe 2 tenders actually attended the fire and more were available if needed from the airport fire station! And the local fire engines were only an extra precaution.

[FlyingV]

The picture on the front of this mornings Metro freesheet shows 4 obvious airport fire tenders and 2 other "normal" looking engines. No idea if they're Airport Fire Service or DFB.

[RAT 5]

If Iberia landed on 16/34 why was FR caused to G/A from a landing on 28. These runways do not intersect. Could it be the fire cover was now too reduced to accept further landings? If so, the idea that having multiple non-intersecting runways reduces the likelyhood of diversions due to blocked runways etc. seems to be slightly flawed. A blown tyre or other reason for blocking a rumway is likely to have Fire Attendance. I'd always thought that independant runways at the destination airport could be considered, in conjunction with weather conditions, to decide fuel requirements and other operational matters.

Is this now defunct thinking?

[OLDVOLVOTINCAN]

Dublin airport has full Cat 9 fire service. Fire engines number minimum 7
http://myaviation.net/?pid=00547054

Dublin fire service is only called in in support of the airport fire service and in the event of a prolonged incident they are there to provide fire cover for the airport in the event that there is another incident and also to release the AFS so that the airport can resume limited services again.

"I presume they have more than 2 tenders at Dublin Airport Fire station! If so why are the local fire brigade involved.

Is there a chance that they only have enough fire staff for 2 tenders at that time?? Surely not!

Maybe 2 tenders actually attended the fire and more were available if needed from the airport fire station! And the local fire engines were only an extra precaution."

A tiny bit of research and you would never have had to make that post.

[DUB-GREG]

Interesting one this.

I do believe 16/34 was in operation but i think the 10/28 runway was the one it landed on? Can anyone confirm this, because i was out witht he scanner yesterday at the threshold of 16 and all flights where landing on this because 10 and 28 where held up for some reason.

I could see the fire-engines across the field over that direction (RWY10/28) So i presumed there was some emergency or something happened earlier.

I was out there bout 10:30/11pm and it was still closed.

Great night for the spotter last night, obviously the previously mentioned incident and then at around 11.00 there was a hare/rabbit strike on 16.

Heard the landing aircraft reporting it.

Then while the runway inspection was happening they opened 10/28 (with runway 10 being the active). 15 min later RWY16 was the active again!

[DUB-GREG]

Oh and ive been told by a mate that the airbus is currently on the apron beside peir C.

Probably awaiting an IAA inspection!

Cheers.
GREG B.

[Irishboy]

Photo here (http://www.irishairpics.com/database/popup.php?q=1013362)

[jamesiek]

I was not aware that such a site existed with that type of information about the amount of firecrews etc and the only reason i posted that was to find the information which i have now done!!

[dv8]

We were the a/c that landed after the A320
We informed GND of the flames & smoke emanating from the APU
The fire services were on the scene PDQ contrary to another poster
From our point of view what took way too long was to order the evac When it did come it was the fire services that suggested it to ATC who then told the Iberian to shut down and evacuate
Exellent call not to use rear slides

[chiglet]

AFAIK, it is SOP for the "Outside" FB to come to the Airport in the case of "Full Emegency AGI etc [at least at Manch]. They are there to provide "Domestic" cover and extra pumps [I think]
watp,iktch

[cheekycapt]

Sorry I made a mistake last night when I said the plane landed on runway 16/34 ! From where i was at the time of the incident it appeared like the plane had landed on runway 16/34 ! ! 16/34 was in operation for most of yeaterday! The Iberia actually landed on Runway 10/28 and was taxiing to its stand when it grounded to a halt ! I saw a small cloud of smoke coming form the rear of the plane and then an evacuation took place within a minute or two ! An Airport Fire jeep was first on the scene followed by the airport police and gardai ! An ambulance followed these but it took a while before a Fire Engine was deployed to the scene ! Id say it was nearly 10mins before one was deployed ! Serious questions are to be asked of the Airport Fire Service on why it took so long for a Fire Engine to be deployed ! The papers are exaggerating the incident big time ! What I have described above is exactly what happened !

[noullet]

I assume that the crew pulled the APU fire handle? Hopefully, if it was not contained by that action, it was extinguished by the fire brigade. Must have been one helluva fire.

Regards,
noullet

[Pigsfly]

Is this for real, 10 Mins waiting for a fire Tender, serious questions to be asked if it is. Good work that incident ended without serious damage to persons. Will await this AAIB report with interest.

[celtic mech]

"I assume that the crew pulled the APU fire handle?"

There is no fire "handle" on a 320! a simple switch does the job

[lesser weevil]

my friends were on the plane, they say the newspapers have made a big deal about it, and there was really no hassle at all.

the first they knew about it was the plane didn't move from the runway and there was foam on the windows. One of the passengers commented that it seemed odd for them to be washing the plane while they were still on the runway...

They were told to remain in their seats with their seatbelts fastened, while the cabin crew went up and down the aisles, etc. Those who stood up were told to sit down.

Suddenly the crew told them that they were evacuating, the doors were blown off, they were told to run. Some people tried taking their handluggage down but were told (sensibly!) to stop.

They all got out of the a/c and were taken inside and given sandwiches and muffins and tea.

Bit of anticlimax, I would have said.

The picture in some newspaper shows three young men and the title under it says "Shock: ...." and their names. The three young men just look like they're laughing.

Humph.

Emergency :confused:

[flowman]

I was on duty when the call was received from Dublin to close the airport.
The explanation we received here was that the aircraft was parked on the taxiway but the evacuated passengers were wandering around on the manouevring area. It was therefore considered unsafe to continue normal operations. The airport was only closed for about half an hour.

[Dublinflyer]

Some people tried taking their handluggage down but were told (sensibly!) to stop.
Without going too of topic, is it common for people in an emergency evac to try open the overheads and get their dutyfree :confused:
I was involved in an evac in the USA a number of years ago via the slides and witnessed the same. :mad:

[Speed of Sound]

We were the a/c that landed after the A320
We informed GND of the flames & smoke emanating from the APU
The fire services were on the scene PDQ contrary to another poster
From our point of view what took way too long was to order the evac When it did come it was the fire services that suggested it to ATC who then told the Iberian to shut down and evacuate
and then an evacuation took place within a minute or two ! An Airport Fire jeep was first on the scene followed by the airport police and gardai ! An ambulance followed these but it took a while before a Fire Engine was deployed to the scene ! Id say it was nearly 10mins before one was deployed ! Serious questions are to be asked of the Airport Fire Service on why it took so long for a Fire Engine to be deployed ! The papers are exaggerating the incident big time ! What I have described above is exactly what happened !

Well both of these posters can't be right! :eek:

SoS

[cheekycapt]

Well i saw the incident with my own two eyes ! I would like to know what type of Aircraft and airline Dv8 was on ! There was an aircraft parked on the taxiway a good distance behind the A320 ! I will not say what aircraft or airline it was until Dv8 can tell me what type of a/c and airline he was on ! If he cannot confirm this then he is not telling the truth !

[jondc9]

Hi:

Does anyone know:

1. Was the fire external to the protected compartment housing the APU?

2. Was the APU started prior to landing or after landing?

3. Was there a fire warning in the cockpit for the apu?

4. I haven't flown the Airbus, but many other jets offer an autoshutdown of the apu upon fire warning? Is this the case on the airbus?


From the photo, it seems as if there wasn't any smoke damage or flame damage to the aircraft, is that the case as you all see it?


I can think of a number of uncommanded or unneeded evacuations in the US due to "torching" during start of the engines. I witnessed something akin to this, torching during engine start of MD80. Someone on the ground yelled fire and the crew shot the bottle even though the flame was outside of the protected area. The nacelles actually swelled up momentarilly. The bottles did no good of course.

Another mechanic was also on the radio yelling NOT TO SHOOT THE BOTTLES and that the engine was just torching during start. (other procedures should have been used)


Could this situation be something like that? Observed torching of apu coupled with other factors? Misinterpreting the danger? Perhaps difficulty with common language?


wondering?

jon

[dv8]

Type DHC8-400
Landed 18:55
Vacated at E6
Reported flames and smoke 18:56 to DUB ground 121.8
Stopped taxing short of P2 to keep away from danger and allow P2 clear for emergency services
ATC on request of fire services called A320 to evacuate at 19:02
Once evacuation completed taxi to stand
On stand at 19:08

Anything else Cheeky?

[CamelhAir]

If he cannot confirm this then he is not telling the truth !

Hmm, let me see. Proven annorak bull$hitter vs actual airline pilot on the scene. Get off the stage cheekywannabe.

[i_need_cider]

Dub has a full fire and emergency servive, the local fire brigade will always respond to emergencices in the airport as a rule of thumb that's why surrounding areas go on alert to provide cover for the tenders dispached to Dub

[runawayedge]

For what it's worth and if wrong will stand corrected. My understanding is that in the event of a full scale emergency being declared the 'domestic' services are immediately called for support. Upon their arrival the domestic fire chief will assume command of the incident, and the airfield fire services take instruction from him/her. The field will close if the required fire cover is not available to traffic, or obviously if the incident is of such a scale that the airport requires closing.

[Few Cloudy]

If an airport has some of its fire resources tied up - or even might do, it is quite standard to ask the local civvies to back up.

[apaddyinuk]

Im just rather curious from looking at the picture of the plane with the slides deployed. If the Fire Tenders were concentrating foam on the APU to the effect that the cabin crew blocked the rear exits and directed everyone forward....surely the passengers who opened and evacuated through the overwing exits would have come off the slide just a few meters forward of the APU would have been covered in foam????