View Full Version : Lufthansa landed to a military airport
There are news that Lufthansa's flight from MUN to ADB landed to an Airforce base instead of their destination Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB).
The news say that they were short of fuel and they could not continue to ADB.
RoyHudd
9th May 2013, 18:29
The news is always rubbish; only idiots believe it. Sorry to be rude, but....
There are no fuel truck or stairs for commercial aircraft at Cigli.
Passengers could not be disembarked and the aircraft could not be refuelled as far as a passenger from the aircraft informed. They are waitig in the aircraft for 2,5 hours.
By the way I do not think that Cigli is their legal alternate.
Interesting story.
http://o1305.hizliresim.com/19/9/mwwf3.jpg
Out Of Trim
9th May 2013, 19:01
RoyHudd
Must have a red face about now! :8
Cigli Airbase to ADB is quite a distance!
Busbert
9th May 2013, 19:14
According to Turkish news websites, the LH aircraft diverted due to an extreme rainstorm at ADB.
Been surfing at LCRA today, WSW wind was gusting to 35 knots...
The interesting part is why didn't they divert to their alternate when they reached their minimum diversion fuel.
I do not think that a military airport, which is not open to civil aircraft of any type , which is only 10 miles to their destination was their alternate with heavy rains forcast in the TAF.
One Outsider
9th May 2013, 19:34
Jazz Hands, just out of interest, and since you always pop up and defend the honor of the press whenever it is questioned, would you happen to be a member?
ATC Watcher
9th May 2013, 20:46
Do not know the details yet , but diverting to a military airbase in case trouble or emergency is a perfectly normal occurrence. I have myself directed airliners to military airbases during emergencies. there might not be air stairs for the pax or fuel trucks directly at hands, but everyone is alive and well and the aircraft can take of again afterwards.
I also generally like the decisions taken by airlines like Lufthansa especially when in doubt. But awaiting the details to comment further if need be.
racedo
9th May 2013, 21:25
Do not know the details yet , but diverting to a military airbase in case trouble or emergency is a perfectly normal occurrence. I have myself directed airliners to military airbases during emergencies. there might not be air stairs for the pax or fuel trucks directly at hands, but everyone is alive and well and the aircraft can take of again afterwards.
Many years ago had a fellow Pax who was on a US commercial flight who told me about landing at a US large Air Force base in Ohio because aircraft had brake issues and needed longer runway. It was tornado season and one was incoming after they on ground so after getting out of aircraft they spent time in a hangar surrounded by armed AF police while hearing the tornado pass close by.
He philosophical about it because on ground, got mega $$$ vouchers and dined out on that story for quite a few years.
Landing on a runway is a good flight, landing on runway where you had initially planned to is a great flight..............amending an old phrase.
tayyareci
10th May 2013, 08:57
The Lufthansa plane was forced to land by a sudden heavy rain in Izmir province of western Turkey at about 5pm on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft safely landed at Cigli Military Airport. Two Atlas Jet and Turkish Airlines planes also had to bypass Andan Menderes Airport as they could not land due to weather conditions.
The Lufthansa plane is expected to take off later to leave its passengers at Adnan Menderes Airport, from where it will continue its journey to Germany.
it happened yesterday, i cannot understand why would you choose a military airport when there are many airports around? The weather in IST,BJV,DLM,ATH even in the greek islands around were not too bad, what are your thoughts ?
tayyareci - I find it strange, since guclu suggests it is only 10 miles away from dest which IS a bit close for a weather div, but as said above, the important thing is wheels on a runway regardless of bowsers/pax handling. I can only assume lack of fuel was an issue.
tayyareci
10th May 2013, 09:06
LTBJ 091520Z 02016KT 6000 FEW015CB SCT025 BKN100 17/16 Q1010 RETSRA NOSIG=
LTBJ 091450Z 01018KT 4000 -TSRA FEW015CB SCT025 BKN090 17/16 Q1010 BECMG TL1520 9999 NSW=
LTBJ 091420Z 02015KT 4000 -TSRA SCT015CB SCT025 BKN090 17/16 Q1010 RETSRA BECMG TL1450 9999 NSW=
LTBJ 091241Z 35015KT 8000 -TSRA FEW015CB SCT025 BKN100 22/16 Q1009 RETS BECMG TL1330 NSW RMK RWY16 33013KT 300V360=
LTBJ 091220Z 36014KT 9999 TS FEW015CB SCT030 BKN100 23/16 Q1009 BECMG TL1320 NSW=
this was the weather in izmir I think their approach time was about 1230Z
DaveReidUK
10th May 2013, 09:46
http://www.pprune.org/spectators-balcony-spotters-corner/514403-lufthansa-landed-military-airport.html
edi_local
10th May 2013, 09:56
Presumably the base was the closest option. Looking at a map, Izmir seems to have a few large airfields around. If you can land the plane safely at a base which is actually in the same city then it's less hassle to get pax to their intended destination later on, even if it meant ground transport. To fly to another airport further away, or even, as some of your suggestions were, in another country would involve a lot more work and time.
Phileas Fogg
10th May 2013, 10:03
Lufthansa's flight from MUN to ADB landed to an Airforce base instead of their destination
He would have been short on fuel flying all the way from Venezuela to Turkey!
tayyareci
10th May 2013, 10:30
There are no fuel truck or stairs for commercial aircraft at Cigli.
Passengers could not be disembarked and the aircraft could not be refuelled as far as a passenger from the aircraft informed. They waited in the aircraft for 2,5 hours.
Something is fishy there, plus as far as i know there are no VOR or ILS approaches to that airport only tacan and NDB
Hotel Tango
10th May 2013, 10:58
:ok::) Well spotted Phileas.