Just after the other pilot says "positive rate", you say "gear up" and a bright red fire handle light comes on with a loud bell and you momentarily forget to bank left: it could happen. Two trips ago, I pushed the throttles up to (flex) takeoff EPR of 2.00 and the left engine flames out (bad high-pressure fuel pump in P&W JT8D-15, not the shaft).
No matter what happens after the plane lifts off at runway 36 in DCA, the prohibited zone must be avoided, but many distractions could occur (nuisance windshear warning etc). For the laymen out there, we are all trained and re-trained to climb straight ahead with an engine failure or an engine fire light, other than Eagle, Colorado etc.
Speaking of DCA, I certainly wish US Airways a stable future and a committed, dedicated CEO.
Last edited by Ignition Override; 6th Apr 2002 at 04:49.