This brings to mind something I read in an accident report concerning the loss of a DC-8 freighter during takeoff for a three engine ferry flight. The crew used incorrect V speeds and improper application of throttles on the takeoff roll.
The report contains the statement:
The captain and his crew departed DOV on the first ferry flight and arrived in MCI at 1739 on the day of the accident. The block-to-block time for the flight was 3.3 hours.
AT1 arranged for a qualified airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic to fly from DEN to MCI to prepare N782AL for the three-engine ferry. The captain prepared the flight departure papers and discussed fueling requirements with another AT1 captain who had flown N782AL to MCI.
Both captains agreed that the fuel load should be 75,000 pounds, to include
30,000 pounds of ballast fuel and 45,000 pounds of usable fuel.
http://www.airdisaster.com/reports/ntsb/AAR95-06.pdf
I thought the decision to carry that much additional fuel was odd, given the fact the aircraft was being operated with three engines. The additional weight required higher V speeds and would have exacerbated controllability issues.
Not having any experience in the DC-8 (or any other four engine transport category aircraft) I am not familiar with minimum weight requirements and their effect on aircraft operation.
The above linked thread
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/24595...el-weight.html
gave some insight, but it just seems counterintuitive that an aircraft operating with degraded performance would be required have an additional 30,000 lbs of fuel on board.
Any comments would be appreciated.