Whilst I appreciate that this was an Airbus, here's what a Boeing '
Quick
Reference
Handbook' (
aka, in layman's terms, the checklist that is used when the aircraft is in a 'non-normal situation') has to say about the phrase "
Land at the Nearest Suitable Airport" wherein the guidance for a twin-engine aircraft type will, necessarily (
and is Regulated as such), be very very similar regardless of whether it's an Airbus or a Boeing, etc:
There are some situations where the flight crew must land at the nearest suitable airport. These situations include, but are not limited to, conditions where:
- the non–normal checklist includes the item “Plan to land at the nearest suitable airport.”
- fire or smoke continues
- only one AC power source remains (engine or APU generator)
- only one hydraulic system remains (the standby system is considered a hydraulic system)
- any other situation determined by the flight crew to have a significant adverse effect on safety if the flight is continued.
It must be stressed that for smoke that continues or a fire that cannot be positively confirmed to be completely extinguished, the earliest possible descent, landing, and evacuation must be done. If a smoke, fire or fumes situation becomes uncontrollable, the flight crew should consider an immediate landing. Immediate landing implies immediate diversion to a runway. However, in a severe situation, the flight crew should consider an overweight landing, a tailwind landing, an off-airport landing, or a ditching.
And here's what the Boeing '
Flight Crew Training Manual' has to say on matter (
and, again, the Airbus version will, necessarily, be very very similar in its content and message):
A suitable airport is defined by the operating authority for the operator based on guidance material but, in general, must have adequate facilities and meet certain minimum weather and field conditions.
If required to divert to the nearest suitable airport (twin engine airplanes with an engine failure), the guidance material also typically specifies that the pilot should select the nearest suitable airport “in point of time” or “in terms of time.”
In selecting the nearest suitable airport, the pilot-in-command should consider the suitability of nearby airports in terms of facilities and weather and their proximity to the airplane position.
The pilot-in-command may determine, based on the nature of the situation and an examination of the relevant factors, that the safest course of action is to divert to a more distant airport than the nearest airport. For example, there is not necessarily a requirement to spiral down to the airport nearest the airplane's present position if, in the judgment of the pilot-in-command, it would require equal or less time to continue to another nearby airport.
For persistent smoke or a fire which cannot positively be confirmed to be completely extinguished, the safest course of action typically requires the earliest possible descent, landing and evacuation. This may dictate landing at the nearest airport appropriate for the airplane type, rather than at the nearest suitable airport normally used for the route segment where the incident occurs.
Herein end'th a lesson, for a few of you supposed 'Professionals' !
Well done the crew !!
