SYD-bound QANTAS A380 turns back to L.A. following burst water pipe
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SYD-bound QANTAS A380 turns back to L.A. following burst water pipe
A friend has just told me his LAX to SYD flight was turned back after 50 mins due to water leaking through from First to Economy. Looks pretty alarming:
Qantas flight from Los Angeles turns back after water pipe leaks
I can't remember seeing something like this before - it also shows the sheer quantity of water these big birds hold these days.
Qantas flight from Los Angeles turns back after water pipe leaks
I can't remember seeing something like this before - it also shows the sheer quantity of water these big birds hold these days.
On a serious note, as it appears that the leaks will have contaminated many areas of the aircraft, how on earth will they dry out the massive aircraft and what might be a likely future for said A380 ? That's going to give the maintenance guys a few headaches….
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On AOL this story is illustrated by a nice 747 pic. Boeing will be pleased.
* Airbus are stated as the plane maker in the actual story.
* Airbus are stated as the plane maker in the actual story.
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"it also shows the sheer quantity of water these big birds hold these days"
No it doesnt. It takes very little water to cover a level surface. Impossible to judge from the picture.
No it doesnt. It takes very little water to cover a level surface. Impossible to judge from the picture.
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It is concerning, based on experiences with liquids dropping into electronics elsewhere, and the 380 has a bit of electronics....let's hope the waterproofing is good.
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the 380 has a bit of electronics
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Speaking as an engineer and as a freight item in that part of the plane behind the pilots, I would say that it takes a hell of a lot of water to soak a carpeted aisle to the extent that there appear to be ripples if not actual minor wavelets.
In an environment chock full of electronics I'd be alarmed at the introduction of water. Water plus gravity plus electricity usually equals disaster. I've seen it happen.
Then again I realise that the engineers working on this stuff generally get the message.
In an environment chock full of electronics I'd be alarmed at the introduction of water. Water plus gravity plus electricity usually equals disaster. I've seen it happen.
Then again I realise that the engineers working on this stuff generally get the message.
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According to the Qantas engineering manager, Airbus have said that their was "no safety of flight risk and that critical systems of the aircraft are protected from issues such as water, heat and mechanical damage". (Of course, things might be lost in translation from French to English) 
I wonder if the passengers have similar safeguards :P (QF engineers don't. One suffered an electric shock working on a toilet this week)
Boeing also did risk analyses on the 744. VH-OJM proved Murphy's Law yet again. We treat manufacturers' claims with a little more respect than spin doctors, but still....
I won't be installing a light switch in my shower recess, even if I have a protective circuit in my fusebox.
I wonder if the passengers have similar safeguards :P (QF engineers don't. One suffered an electric shock working on a toilet this week)
Boeing also did risk analyses on the 744. VH-OJM proved Murphy's Law yet again. We treat manufacturers' claims with a little more respect than spin doctors, but still....
I won't be installing a light switch in my shower recess, even if I have a protective circuit in my fusebox.
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understand the flying giant has over 500 gallons of potable water
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That's not much weight, 500 UK gallons of water = 5000 lbs
Taking a flow rate of 0.10litre/sec for a shower the Emirates A 380's have I believe 80 First and Business class seats, so allow 5 minutes in the shower =
Flow 0.10x60 = 6 litres x 5 minutes = 30 litres times this by 80 and you end up with 2400 litres of water or 2.4 cubic metres, or for the mass 2.4 tonnes
Taking a flow rate of 0.10litre/sec for a shower the Emirates A 380's have I believe 80 First and Business class seats, so allow 5 minutes in the shower =
Flow 0.10x60 = 6 litres x 5 minutes = 30 litres times this by 80 and you end up with 2400 litres of water or 2.4 cubic metres, or for the mass 2.4 tonnes
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BUT OF COURSE WATER DISPERSANT FIRE/SMOKE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS WERE REJECTED AS TOO DIFFICULT??!
But it's ok to carry the weight if the fatcats need a shower before they get to the arrival terminal..........
Back to my own planet please, and make it quick.....!
Of course the liquid content of the "honey tank" could always be used for smoke/fire suppression, no extra weight penalty bar the pumps and distribution system......
But it's ok to carry the weight if the fatcats need a shower before they get to the arrival terminal..........
Back to my own planet please, and make it quick.....!
Of course the liquid content of the "honey tank" could always be used for smoke/fire suppression, no extra weight penalty bar the pumps and distribution system......
Last edited by BARKINGMAD; 10th Jul 2014 at 20:23. Reason: Added text.