Unforecast airfield closures

[framer]

I would like to compile a list of unforecast airfield closures in Australaia since the NZAA lights went out a few years back. The VN reject in YMML this week made me wonder how often it happens. ( On the back of the Mildura debacle)
If you can think of any post it here and we'll work out how often it happens.
Cheers, Framer

[nitpicker330]

26th OCT 2005
A Thai A340-600 operating TG 981 stuffed up a xwind landing YMML 16, blown tyres brake fires and blocked the whole airport for a while.The debris field covered the intersection of the runways ( a bit like Vietnam the other day )
Apparently it took nearly 2 hours ( surely not? ) while they donned their high vis vests and cleaned up the intersection.

Ahh the joys of crossing runways ey.

Interesting I just found another Airservices report that stated the A340 came to a stop at the intersection of the runways??? Quite a feat after landing on 16 I would have thought, must have been some heavy landing!! I guess that's why it apparently took nearly 2 hours to move it.


Oh, and another saying it stopped on Taxiway J.....

Either way it closed the Airport.

[witwiw]

What is an "unforecast airfield" of which there is a closure?


Or are you asking about the unforecast closure of an airfield?








Flak jacket on.

[Capn Bloggs]

unforecast closure of an airfield?

That's abbreviated by those with even a modicum of engliss to "unforecast airfield closure". :) Sticking a hyphen between airfield and closure would be better still, if not already obvious enough. :)

[onehitwonder]

No different to Darwin or Brissy with a wheels up landing

[framer]

Thanks Nitpicker.
YMML-26 October 2005- Thai A340 closes both runways on landing.
NZAA-28 November 2010- runway lights u/s
NZAA-02 November 2013- Jetstream closes runway
YMML- 05 May 2014- Vietnam Airlines closes both runways after reject.
TBC

[FYSTI]

YPDN 28 Apr 2014 RWY 11-29 closed Wheels-up (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-28/darwin-plane-emergency-belly-landing-pilot/5415914)

[RENURPP]

Darwin 22may 2009 Runway light failure
Investigation: AO-2009-024 - Runway lighting failure - VH-NXM, Darwin Aerodrome NT, 22 May 2009 (http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2009/aair/ao-2009-024.aspx)

[compressor stall]

But you still don't need an alternate.

I think the dismissive words were "ah that wheels up chestnut".

[Capt Claret]

Cairns, 19 Feb, evening, vehicle bogged inside runway strip.
Cairns, late Dec/early Jan, disabled aircraft on RWY.

[Traffic_Is_Er_Was]

I would like to compile a list of unforecast airfield closures in Australia

Why? Sh*t happens. You can't just wheel out the ops spare airport. Obviously single runway ADs are most vulnerable, and it seems if the runways cross it tends to be a show stopper too these days. Seperate rwys obviously best but not many of those around. Aviation is safety first, so if the rwy strip is compromised by whatever, then it's "Not Available" (the airport is almost never "closed")

[RENURPP]

Why? Sh*t happens. Aviation is safety first, so if the rwy strip is compromised by whatever, then it's "Not Available" (the airport is almost never "closed")

Maybe, from a pilots point of view, the people ultimately responsible for the safety of the aircraft, passengers, crew and those on the ground its a very good question and leads to the suggestion that if "Unforecast airfield closures" happen often enough then fuel policy maybe should change in the interest of safety.

On the Darwin flight on the 28th April (mentioned above) they were within a minute of having to commit to landing on an unlit runway. There was supposed to be standby lighting etc etc The landing in the dark would not have been a big deal, the media coverage afterwards would have been.

There was no indication that there was an issue until the question was asked "why are were holding". The aircraft had slightly more than company fuel policy of the day dictated, and therefore could divert and land with fixed reserve, and not a micron more.

Some people believe that we should carry alternate fuel to single runway destinations. If these situations occur regularly are they correct, should it be mandatory to carry alternate fuel?? I suspect thats the reason behind the original post.

[framer]

YMML-26 October 2005- Thai A340 closes both runways on landing.
YPDN- 22 May 2009- Runway Lights
NZAA-28 November 2010- runway lights u/s
NZCH- 22Feburary 2011- Earthquake
NZAA-02 November 2013- Jetstream closes runway
YPDN -28April 2014- wheels up
YMML- 05 May 2014- Vietnam Airlines closes both runways after reject.

Capt Claret, were those Cairns incidents in 2013/2014?

[Capt Claret]

G'day framer, the Feb one was 2014 but I can't remember if the disabled acft was Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. :ok:

[Traffic_Is_Er_Was]

But apart from the (admittedly large) inconvenience, none of these have resulted in an aircraft crashing from lack of alternatives, so I guess the regs already have it sufficiently covered.

[Capt Fathom]

Not enough bait Stallie! :E

[Jabawocky]

Some years ago a B727 freighter I think ran off the strip at YBBN. 14 was probably still available for those able to use it I guess.

[pistinaround]

Air New Zealand closed both runways at Melbourne in Jan 2014 with some kind of problem with an A320 I believe ( I think it only took 30 mins tops to get it all up and running again though ? )


Also NZWN shut due to an earthquake in 2013

Links below to both

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/air-new-zealand-flight-makes-emergency-landing-at-melbourne-airport/story-fni0fit3-1226798529176

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10901411

[sleeve of wizard]

http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/288996-perth-mayday-crikey-com.html :eek:

[framer]

YMML-26 October 2005- Thai A340 closes both runways on landing.
YPDN- 22 May 2009- Runway Lights
NZAA-28 November 2010- runway lights u/s
NZCH- 22Feburary 2011- Earthquake
NZWN- 22 July 2013- Earthquake
NZAA-02 November 2013- Jetstream closes runway
YBCS- January 2014- aircraft disabled on runway
YMML- January 2014- Air nZ A320 Engine failure and return to land
YBCS- February 2014- Vehicle bogged within strip
YPDN -28April 2014- wheels up
YMML- 05 May 2014- Vietnam Airlines closes both runways after reject.

Didn't Melbourne close last year due to a bush fire ? Anyone remember anything about that?

[BPA]

framer,

Williamtown closed due to bushfire.

Around 3 years ago I was operating CS -TL and just after reaching TOPC we were advised TL was closed due to disabled aircraft (C404 or 402) and asked how long we could hold for. The airport was closed for around 30 mins.

[ozbiggles]

If you want this to be more than a fishing expedition on a rumour net work why don't you ask ASA or if no joy there, write (you can even email) the federal minister and post the results here.

[RENURPP]

But apart from the (admittedly large) inconvenience, none of these have resulted in an aircraft crashing from lack of alternatives, so I guess the regs already have it sufficiently covered.

Its not the regs that have saved the day, it tends to be the company fuel policy OR more likely the PIC chosen fuel load, however with the push to carry less and less fuel I hope that statistic remains unchanged. If I can comment on the landing lights in Darwin scenario again, if the aircraft had been carrying todays fuel policy, a diversion to Tindal would not have been a viable option, not without landing with 10 mins of fuel in the tanks, in any case Darwin or Tindal would have been considered an emergency.

[le Pingouin]

Maybe you're thinking of the bushfire smoke that briefly closed ML tower 11 Feb 2014? Technically the aerodrome was uncontrolled and not actually closed, with a couple of aircraft landing at their own discretion.

[compressor stall]

Not enough bait Stallie! :E

Maybe not. But you are hungry enough to nibble again. :clever:

[Traffic_Is_Er_Was]

I would like to compile a list of unforecast airfield closures in Australaia

Better take the Kiwi ones out then :ok:

Also, I would imagine that any that involved smoke due bushfires etc, probably had some forewarning or operational restriction (holding etc), and thus were not completely "unforecast".

[Pinky the pilot]

Back in 1991 I once requested that Fane (Goilala area, PNG) be closed for seven days.:ooh:

The locals were revolting!:hmm: