DAL9 LHR-ATL Returning to Heathrow

[airsmiles]

This B767-400 made it to about 200 miles west of Land's End and is now returning to Heathrow. No big deal perhaps but does FL160 and a steady 240-250kt speed indicate an engine shutdown?

Just seems odd to be so low and slow from that far out.

[SummerLightning]

Mmm, I've been watching this too. Now at FL120 nr Guildford and probably looking at a return to LHR.

[Charley B]

Don't think too serious as in the OCK hold!

[TopBunk]

It could do, but I suspect not.

Looking at tracking sites, it appears that the return has been all flown at a lowish level.

In the event of an engine failure, normally one would expect the aircraft to descend to an optimum single engine level which may be at that level, but I would expect the speed to be higher than what you quote.

Furthermore, in a twin, an engine failure would se you landing at the nearest suitable airport, which from the turnback position would be somewhere like Bristol, and not London.

I tend to favour a pressurisation or window type of event, which could affect operating speed and level.

Time will tell!

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Maybe low speed is due to fuel dumping?

[airsmiles]

Maybe low speed is due to fuel dumping?

I hope not as it went straight over my house at FL130 !

[TopBunk]

Fuel dumping itself has no upper speed limit. From 200nm W of Lands End to LHR must be 45+ minutes, so I would doubt that time would be an issue in order to dump fuel. The B747 dumps at about 2 tonnes per minute, so from MTOW to MLW (about 110 tonnes) takes under an hour and I would imagine the B767 to better that.

Fuel dumping at FL130 would not be an issue, the fuel would dissipate in the atmosphere as long as the dumping was above 6000ft, Airsmiles.

[airsmiles]

If it's a pressurization problem wouldn't FL160 be too high to return to LHR? I wondered about whether they suffered a cracked windscreen. This would mean the need to reduce pressure on it through a combination of speed and height?

[411A]

I wondered about whether they suffered a cracked windscreen. This would mean the need to reduce pressure on it through a combination of speed and height?
Not necessarily...some aircraft with a cracked windshield have no pressurisation or speed restrictions.
The L1011 is one such airplane.

[M-ONGO]

DAL9 LHR-ATL returning to Heathrow as we speak. B764.

[TurboTomato]

Squawking 7700 so a little more than a technical problem. Perhaps just a passenger medical emergency.

[Airclues]

15 months to get from 200 miles west of Lands End to Heathrow. Not bad endurance!

Dave

[Skipness One Echo]

Wow! Will this crew be out of hours when they get to LHR?
*cough*

[WindSheer]

They wouldnt have dumped.
Probably extended gear to increase drag and fuel burn, hence the restricted speed and level. :ok: