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View Full Version : G-BUSI DV Window opens at 6000ft.


speedmarque
12th Jul 2007, 19:01
Today (12 July) A320 G-BUSI en-route LHR-MUC returned to LHR a few minutes after take off with Captains DV window open. It opened at 6000ft in the climb.

hetfield
12th Jul 2007, 19:04
http://plasmaoxyd.de/wp/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/reissack.jpg

Contacttower
12th Jul 2007, 19:12
Few thousand feet higher and the above wouldn't be so applicable :E

speedmarque
12th Jul 2007, 19:15
Hetfield,

Clever Boy aren't you? You may have felt different if you were on the plane Mr Comedian.

I find the lairy ones are usually the first ones crying after a real incident.

beardy
12th Jul 2007, 19:20
Today (12 July) A320 G-BUSI en-route LHR-MUC returned to LHR a few minutes after take off with Captains DV window open.

:hmm: I presume that at 6000ft in the climb captain realised it hadn't been closed correctly.:ugh:

Sounds like tea and no biscuits.

speedmarque
12th Jul 2007, 19:24
Beardy,

The window "blew" fully open very quickly. Cabin crew could not contact flight crew due to noise and vice versa. A/C landed safely and a couple of hours later departed for MUC.

I saw the window, was on the flight, and spoke to the captain on arrival.

Why are people so reluctant to believe things on here:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

ABO944
12th Jul 2007, 19:53
Perhaps because the site's called:-

Pprune Professional Pilots Rumour Network:}

beardy
12th Jul 2007, 20:08
FCOM 3.3.7
WINDOWS and DOORS CHECK CLOSED
Check that the cockpit windows are closed and locked.

Otherwise they might blow open

Maybe not even the tea

MD11Engineer
12th Jul 2007, 22:24
Knowing Airbus sliding windows (and having installed quite a few of them, incl. A320 family) I know that these sliding windows are of the plug type. Any amount of cabin pressurisation will force them into their seat in the frame. It sounds very unlikely that a sliding window "just opens", especially if the plane is already starting to get pressurised.

Jan

Bally Heck
12th Jul 2007, 22:49
Made me laugh hetfield. Always found the BAC 111 no 1 window opening more dramatic myself.:D

poorwanderingwun
12th Jul 2007, 22:55
I have absolutely no idea how an Airbus DV window works but for those out there that think that a presssure dump at a measly 6000 ft is a non event... try it.

Capt. Inop
12th Jul 2007, 23:04
The window "blew" fully open very quickly

Not properly closed they do that. :}

Knowing that it would trigger a no tea and no biscuits scenario at the chief pilots office if we returned with an open window i'll just shut that damn thing and continue with our flight. :cool:

con-pilot
12th Jul 2007, 23:20
i'll just shut that damn thing and continue with our flight.

That earns a pint or two from me Sir. :ok:



I have absolutely no idea how an Airbus DV window works but for those out there that think that a presssure dump at a measly 6000 ft is a non event... try it.

Not only tried it, but have done it at 21,000 feet more times than I want to remember on annual pressurization checks on at least two types of aircraft. Basically you go to altitude, around 21,000 feet, don the masks and turn off the bleeds. Then you time how long it takes for the cabin to reach the altitude of the aircraft. Within the allotted time all is well, if not, back into maintenance.


Now trust me on this non-pilot types, it is a hell of a lot harder on you when you re-pressurize the damn thing back down to where the cabin should be for that altitude at maximum differential.


It was a non-event. Well except for the sap that didn't make sure the blasted DV window was closed and locked. How anybody in the cockpit missed the noise before it blew open is what I want to know.

Red 69
12th Jul 2007, 23:44
The aircraft is designed to be flown with the DV (Direct Vision) window open when necessary. That's why it's called a DV window! It would certainly wake you up though if it opened unintentionally!:eek:

Capt. Inop
12th Jul 2007, 23:49
earns a pint or two from me Sir.

Well, i've had a window open up on me twice on takeoff, in both cases we had to land to fix the problem.

Humor and sacasm isbest kept out of any internet forum.

con-pilot
13th Jul 2007, 00:09
Capt. Inop, this could be a language problem, I was agreeing with you.

If I caused you to misunderstand I do apologize.



(The offer to buy you a beer or two is still open. :ok:)

Metro man
13th Jul 2007, 00:16
Before Start Checks:
:
:
:
Windows and Doors - Closed and Locked
:
:
:


Opening handle has a red ring around the base of the locking button which should be visible when when the window clicks into the closed position. This may have become worn away with repeated operation and the pilots had become used to not seeing it.

DirtyStopout
13th Jul 2007, 01:28
If the crew of this flight read this PM me.

Busbert
13th Jul 2007, 05:03
I am aware of a similar case were a sliding window 'slid' open in climb because it was not correctly closed to start with.

skywaytoheaven
13th Jul 2007, 06:38
Its all in the A320 limitations: Maximum speed with cockpit window open: 200kts.

TopBunk
13th Jul 2007, 08:25
My sources say it was the FO's window that opened.

DirtyStopout If the crew of this flight read this PM me. - like that's going to happen:mad:

Yellow Snow
13th Jul 2007, 09:45
Topbunk

My sources say it was the FO's window that opened.

Sorry fella, but unless the FO was sat in the left hand seat your sources are no good.

Was working in the tower when they landed and taxied in.

From an ATC perspective, whatever the reason for the window opening, the crew handled the situation most professionally!:ok:

TopBunk
13th Jul 2007, 10:21
Yellow

I stand to be corrected, but my source is a BA internal system:rolleyes:

Yellow Snow
13th Jul 2007, 11:18
Tempted to make a joke about BA internal systems but I'll leave it!;)

Admittedly, I was busy when they landed so I never saw the FO's window.

But looking south from the tower after the aircraft had turned right onto Alpha from N6 turnoff, the left hand window was open.

Voodoo 3
13th Jul 2007, 11:59
Speaking from a boeing 737 point of view but there is a NNC for this eventuality. As long as you are slow enough (below 250kts you should be able to close it) and presumably low enough (few 000 feet) then it should be possible to close, pressurise and continue the flight.
Do Airbus have a checklist for this outcome or were the crew being ultra cautious and returning to base?

aw8565
13th Jul 2007, 16:29
You may find this video interesting

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_4W-CPp2EUk&mode=related&search=

If the link doesn't work the youtube title is "Boeing 737 900 take-off with Window open"

This video was created to show that it is not worth rejecting a takeoff for an open window (i.e. more risk in rejecting than continuing)

The music is annoying as there was another version that had a commentary. I guess it highlights the difficulty in crew communication so back to hand signals (remember them?)

Slight thread drift from original subject but still interesting...

MrHorgy
13th Jul 2007, 16:46
If it's such a big deal (Don't take that the wrong way, I fully appreciate why) then why is this occuring?
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5882346
Horgy

hetfield
13th Jul 2007, 16:55
COC Window opens at 6.000 ft?

Oh my God, we all gone die......