Journo asking a question.

[tyne]

Hi forgive the intrusion but I just need a bit of background on a story I have picked-up.

Today's Newcastle Evening Chronicle claims a Tornado made an emergency landing at Newcastle airport after suffering a "double engine failure."

Obvioulsy I'm going to check this out through the RAF media people but before I do that I've a couple of questions.

Bearning in mind the Chronicle may have got something wrong. The pic shows a GR4 but the story implies the machine was used in air defence.

That aside...A double engine failure gives me the impression the thing must have glided in. Would they do this, flying over heavily populated areas? I'd have thought a double engine failure would have required the use of Martin Baker equipment out over the oggin.
.

Cheers

Dan

[Tigs2]

Hi Tyne

I hope you get the reply you need. If true then they have got balls as big as Jupiter, I would have pulled the black and yellow handle.

[RAFEmployee]

What newspaper do you report for?

I'm sure you'll agree that this does depend on the circumstances of the situation. We would try not to use the Martin Baker as much as possible.

I've not read the story, however, I will be looking it up.

[tyne]

I work for a North East radio station. I have also done a lot of work with the military over the years. SIMPRESS for JMC's , NATO and FOST's mobile sea training people.... stuff like that.

A wannabe sailor who has duff eyes but that's another story.

Cheers for your replies.

Dan

[L J R]

There is a drill to get the engines re-lit after dbl eng failure. Possibly worked on at least one of them me thinks...

[Stuff]

It does seem incredibly unlikely. With reverse thrust unavailable and lack of any arrestor cables to engage even if they manage to get it on the tarmac (huge kudos to anyone who can manage that) stopping would be difficult if not impossible in the runway available.

I'm guessing here but perhaps what they had was a double generator failure?

[olderbloke]

...don't tell him your name, Pike...:E

[artyhug]

Well don't quote me, but...

If it were an F3, air defence, then after a double engine failure you are relying on an emergency ram air turbine to provide minimal hydraulics for control surface movement and a battery for electrics. The GR 4, to the best of my knowledge, uses a different emergency back for hydraulic supplies.

Now for an F3 the RAT doesn't, due to required airflow and airframe position, provide enough hydraulic power to make an emergency landing feasible. You'll have to ask a mud about the GR 4.

More than likely in my humble opinion, if it were a double anything failure, would be double generator. With no onboard AC production capability you are flying an electric aeroplane with the equivalent of a couple of duracell providing all of your power needs. It is therefore a situation best remedied ASAP before you become so much tumbling steel and titanium.

So, long story short and I re-iterate I do not know the particulars of this incident. Double engine failure, no chance. Double Gen, it'll make your eyes water but so long as you get on the ground sharpish, hence potentially the use of a Civvy field, you should be home for tea and medals.

Hope that helps when you speak to them that know in corporate comms.

Editted to add: As LJR points out, just because something failed doesn't mean it stayed failed!

[tyne]

Thanks chaps, just contacted the RAF press people who are checking it out for me.

All the best

Dan.

[tyne]

Talked to a really helpful chap from the RAF.

As I suspected it's not quite the story as reported. A technical fault and a precautionary landing....No dead Tornado minus engines making a dramatic silent landing at Woolsington.

Cheers again for you advice.

Dan Entwisle.

[kokpit]

Now that was a refreshing change, Journo pops head over parapet, and lives to tell the tale.

Well done chaps :ok:

[PPRuNeUser0211]

here here!

[BluntM8]

Agreed. Tyne, you've set a new record for journalistic survival here! Congrats.

[MightyGem]

As I suspected it's not quite the story as reported.
Never believe what you read in the papers, or hear on the radio come to that. :E

[tyne]

Do I get a ***** tie pin or at least a Tee-Shirt to mark the occasion?

I don't want to kick off a new journo debate, but I've always been of the mind that if you don't know something ask. Shame more people in my game don't have that view.

Dan

[Faithless]

Do I get a ***** tie pin or at least a Tee-Shirt to mark the occasion?

Yeah no problem. You just have to collect it in person from the lads on the front line in the Sandy place........You can then report back to all those Gob-sh!tes back home who are quick to slag off our lads and lasses and tell them exactly what we are all doing :E