jetopa
24th Apr 2010, 17:27
At about 1220 utc today, a US-registered BBJ (sounded like 'N4HE') called in mayday on the tower-frequency at OERK/RUH, reguesting emergency vectors for an immediate landing on any runway. The tower controller failed to offer any help but instructed the crew to contact 120,0 (departure radar) instead. The pilot of the BBJ, sounding clearly overwhelmed and occupied by the apparent workload, asked if they could not stay on tower-frequency instead - but the tower controller insisted...
They switched to the departure frequency. There they reported problems with both engines and that they desperately needed vectors to the nearest runway since they could 'barely maintain altitude'. The controller did not seem to be very oriented, gave some vectors and asked repeatedly, whether they had the field in sight. The crew said 'yes', but then asked again for vectors. Then they reported to be on final and were switched to the tower again (...). They checked in (Tower replied: 'go ahead' - as if he had never heard of an airplane with problems...) and were cleared to land. They came in very fast on 33R in what looked like a zero-flap configuration. Coming to a stop at the far end of the runway, they asked several times if the fire crew could confirm that there was no fire - no reply for long seconds. Asking the tower didn't help either, the controller asked them to switch to GND. In desperation, the pilot asked if anybody could see if there was fire coming from the engines or the wheels... Then they said that they would shut down on the runway, since they apparently had blown a few tires and that the brakes were very hot.
For me, as bystander, the following thoughts:
Not knowing what their problem was, I am glad that they made it back safely - that's all what counts. All 9 souls on board probably appreciated this.
When a crew like these BBJ-pilots apparently has a massive problem at hands, resulting in a high workload, it needs all the help it can get. Being in Saudi Arabia's capital apparently was not fortunate today. ATC was totally out of the loop, incompetent or maybe didn't care - I don't know.
The crew requested the fire crew to be available on the ground - we saw them start moving when the BBJ already had touched down...
Asking ATC or the fire crew for confirmation about any fire was important for them in their asessment of the situation outside. But they never received a timely and qualified reply.
Excellent job by the crew! They found 'home' to the runway themselves. Had the weather been worse, the outcome might not have been so positive...
They switched to the departure frequency. There they reported problems with both engines and that they desperately needed vectors to the nearest runway since they could 'barely maintain altitude'. The controller did not seem to be very oriented, gave some vectors and asked repeatedly, whether they had the field in sight. The crew said 'yes', but then asked again for vectors. Then they reported to be on final and were switched to the tower again (...). They checked in (Tower replied: 'go ahead' - as if he had never heard of an airplane with problems...) and were cleared to land. They came in very fast on 33R in what looked like a zero-flap configuration. Coming to a stop at the far end of the runway, they asked several times if the fire crew could confirm that there was no fire - no reply for long seconds. Asking the tower didn't help either, the controller asked them to switch to GND. In desperation, the pilot asked if anybody could see if there was fire coming from the engines or the wheels... Then they said that they would shut down on the runway, since they apparently had blown a few tires and that the brakes were very hot.
For me, as bystander, the following thoughts:
Not knowing what their problem was, I am glad that they made it back safely - that's all what counts. All 9 souls on board probably appreciated this.
When a crew like these BBJ-pilots apparently has a massive problem at hands, resulting in a high workload, it needs all the help it can get. Being in Saudi Arabia's capital apparently was not fortunate today. ATC was totally out of the loop, incompetent or maybe didn't care - I don't know.
The crew requested the fire crew to be available on the ground - we saw them start moving when the BBJ already had touched down...
Asking ATC or the fire crew for confirmation about any fire was important for them in their asessment of the situation outside. But they never received a timely and qualified reply.
Excellent job by the crew! They found 'home' to the runway themselves. Had the weather been worse, the outcome might not have been so positive...