Speedbird 55K LHR-Johannesburg return to LHR.

[Flightmech]

B744. Currently at FL320 heading back north. Looks like it got as far as PMI then did a 180 so presume it's returning to LHR.

[NacelleStrake]

Got as far as Majorca then returned to Heathrow. Any news on the reason?

[Hotel Tango]

I really for the life of me don't understand why people are so interested. It will most likely be some tech issue, which does NOT require immediate diversion but does, for logistical reasons require the a/c back in London. This will facilitate any maintenance required and may also make things easier with regard to preparing a spare a/c and crew if required.

[NacelleStrake]

Thanks for that, Hotel Tango. Us lesser spotter's are on here by definition and the logistics of such a return would be of interest if, for instance, A/C weight was an issue. Four hours 'burn' may not be in this case.

[carbheatout]

NS

Ignore him. Well, ignore the first sentence. A lot of people on here appear to enjoy belittling others.

[Hotel Tango]

So what exactly is "belittling" about my first sentence? Just expressing an honest opinion which may well be different to yours. "belittling"? No!

[Airclues]

Anyway...........does anyone know why it returned?

[wiggy]

does anyone know why it returned?

Actually yes I do, but I'm not telling ( more on that in a moment)....and I'm siding with H.T.

Why not just chalk it up to an airborne return, which, given the time scale, wasn't something urgent/life threatening? It might be down to a whole host of reasons. FWIW if you're looking for info from those who have access to in house information they are sure as heck are not going to post it here.....

That said chances are one of the BA info websites may well have the information in the near future.

NS

and the logistics of such a return would be of interest if, for instance, A/C weight was an issue. Four hours 'burn' may not be in this case.

NS

In answer to that question the likes of a 777 or 744 can, even after 4 hours in the cruise, be well over maximum landing weight..the answer to that problem is usually to dump fuel, rather than just flying around to burn the fuel off.

[Talkdownman]

There's even a Q-code for an airborne return: QRF

Much easier for airline ops to 'throw a six and start again' rather than to have the airframe and aircrew inconveniently misplaced.

[wiggy]

Much easier for airline ops to 'throw a six and start again'

:D Like it.....and agree.

For the benefit of the OP: You might end up with a minor defect in flight that, whilst not demanding an immediate landing, must be fixed before the next take-off. The fix might be a lengthy job and may well demand specialist engineering know how and/or hard to locate spares...In such an event one normally contacts HQ (sat phone) and asks for their input. HQ probably don't want the aircraft, passengers and crew dumped somewhere en-route at an "off line" station, they also might not be keen on the flight proceeding to a destination if that destination isn't the best place to fix the problem.....so the advice may well be "come back to base"...

[blind pew]

It's a British thing...not liking foreign food.
Was on a 747 over the Sahara when they decided to return...then they had the heathrow fly past- rather than Dutch food ; a 747 with a bad motor ex LAX that flew all the way to Manchester, and not forgetting the boys on the airbus who got to Clacton before deciding to close the second runway at LHR to inspect the bits they had left behind ;)

[DaveReidUK]

At Heathrow alone, a departing aircraft making an unplanned return happens roughly once a week.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

A KLM DC-10 one morning was inside the outer marker (as it was in those days) for 10L at Heathrow when the pilot announced that he wished to divert to Amsterdam. We never found out why.

[SpringHeeledJack]

A KLM DC-10 one morning was inside the outer marker (as it was in those days) for 10L at Heathrow when the pilot announced that he wished to divert to Amsterdam. We never found out why.

In this example would anyone apart from KLM and the Dutch authorities have a right to know the cause(s) and Reason(s) ? Or is it no-one's business and the captain made a decision and that's that ?



SHJ

[yotty]

wiggy would you agree that HQ = Ops / Maintrol? ;)

[wiggy]

yotty


Yep, please forgive the "shorthand":ok:

[Airclues]

CRM lesson number 2037;

Young F/O; " I see that aircraft on the approach is returning with a problem. I wonder what it is?"

Captain; "I really for the life of me don't understand why you are so interested."

The next 12 hours................."Silence".

[NacelleStrake]

Airclues - touché....:)

[BOAC73]

41 years in aviation. And still learning.

[Tinwacker]

BOAC73

I think I will change my name to BOAC67......

Now what does that thingmegig do now ?????

Name of memories, thanks for making my tears.......

TW

[BOAC73]

Hi Tinwacker,
Want a job?
Regards,
B73.