Originally Posted by
Say Again, Over!
Hmmmm. As ATC, unless there is a fuel shortage, I hardly consider a landing gear issue to be a "MAYDAY" matter.
Where is the need for immediate assistance? Why should we give them priority, only to divert everybody else after this aicraft has blocked the runway?
I can understand why they wouldn't want to go to another airport where they might not have the logistical support required to get the aircraft (or passengers) taken care of but MAYDAY?
Rather childish from the captain, IMVHO.
LX
If you read the accident report (
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_503037.pdf, page 7) you'll see that that Manston was considered as a diversion, but after all the flying around for low-level passes and a bit of bouncing to try to shake the gear loose, they really did end up with low fuel, declared a fuel emergency and landed. Familiarity with Heathrow was also a factor in choosing to land there.