To any non commercial jet pilots on here; an in-flight problem or failure can take a while to work through. It is not just a case of wheeling it round and landing in the nearest field. On has to go through the checklists for the failure of course, in this case perhaps at least two separate engine related problems. Then we have to secure other systems, for example alternative electrical power generation (start the APU), and decide which air conditioning packs to use (because they might have been contaminated), and hydraulics. Then we have to decide where to land. With most failures, we need to work out what landing distance will be required for the particular failure - which might for example be causing stopping issues (for example no reversers) - and this would be a very good reason NOT to go to Luton for example. The aircraft may be overweight for normal landing, in which case with no fuel jettison system available, we might need to burn the fuel off, or decide to land overweight - again another set of considerations, and longer runway needed. If the emergency is not life threatening, (it wasn't), one then has time to consider what engineering will be available, where on the airport the aircraft will be able to go once landed, and how the passengers are going to be looked after once the aircraft has landed. In most cases, weather permitting one's home-base that was departed from a few mins ago will be the best bet, (and it is familiar to the pilots). In addition, one needs to speak with the cabin crew so they know what is going on and what to expect - in this case an evacuation after landing using the slides. And finally speak to the passengers and reassure them what has happened and what is going to happen. All the while flying the aircraft and liaising with ATC. For some complex failures with bad weather around, all this can take 45 minutes to complete - I know, because I've done it.
All those who say they can't believe the aircraft flew over London to land have obviously never had to do this sort of thing for real or even in a SIM. Modern aircraft with engine problems do not fall out of the sky - indeed they are certificated not to.
What ever the causes for this, the crew and ATC did a textbook job, and all deserve our congratulations.
Last edited by Uplinker; 26th May 2013 at 11:30.