FAA and CAA conflicting views
From today's Sunday Times:
BA accused over flights with one engine down
DIPESH GADHER, TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
BRITISH AIRWAYS has allowed jumbo jets to complete long-haul flights on at least seven occasions despite pilots having to shut down an engine.
On each occasion the flight had to be completed on three engines rather than four because of technical problems.
Safety concerns have been raised because the pilots of the Boeing 747s decided to continue with their journeys rather than divert to a nearby airport.
In one recent case this led to an aircraft making an emergency landing at Manchester because pilots feared it was running low on fuel after crossing the Atlantic with one engine down.
America’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accused British Airways (BA) of “careless and reckless” behaviour although the airline says passenger safety has never been compromised.
The phenomenon is not confined to BA. Since the start of last year 18 British-registered aircraft — including Airbus A340s, BAe146s and jumbos — have been forced to shut down one of four engines in the air, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) records. Several then continued their journeys.
The FAA is investigating one BA flight, carrying 351 passengers, that suffered an engine surge immediately after taking off from Los Angeles airport in February.
The faulty engine was shut down, but after taking advice from BA technicians in London, the captain continued with the 11-hour flight to Heathrow rather than returning to Los Angeles or diverting to another American airport.
Forced to fly at a lower altitude than the flight crew wanted, the plane used up more fuel than expected because of less favourable tailwinds.
By the time the aircraft reached Ireland the captain felt that attempting a landing at Heathrow would be too risky and asked for a diversion to Manchester.
Howard Ramsdale, 47, a passenger on the flight, said: “I was absolutely astounded that we didn’t return to LA. There wasn’t a single person that I spoke to on that plane who wanted to carry on. “As far as I’m concerned my life was put at risk. It was a very stressful flight and I’m not really sure that I’d get on an aircraft again, let alone a BA one.” Ramsdale, a science teacher from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, has written to the airline, demanding compensation for the trauma he suffered.
BA has backed the actions of the pilot and points out that the 747 is certified to fly on three engines.
Given the circumstances, the CAA also believes that flying with one engine down is “a safe option”, more so if the plane is well into its journey.
This view, however, does not appear to be shared by the FAA, which could fine BA if it concludes that the airline violated American regulations.
Originally posted on the 747 diversion thread, but that appears to have been given the PPRuNe 'sinking' treatment as it didn't reappear at the top of Rumours and News. Those who wish to read more can search under '744 Diversion to MAN' to find the full thread.