BigHitDH
22nd Jul 2003, 12:41
Hi,
I'm hoping one of the more experienced users here can answer a question that's been bothering me for some time.
In may of last year, I departed Narita International bound for Heathrow aboard a JAL 744. I've been on many 747 types before, including the 744, and this take-off roll seemed to take a long time. At least it seemed that way at the time. Anyway, upon rotation, just before V2, there was a very loud bang from behind and below me. I should mention at this point that I was in the last row of seats at the rear of the aircraft, in the left-hand window seat. The jolt was strong enough to make me jump an inch or so from my seat.
Of course, I presumed a tailstrike, seems logical I thought, long take-off roll and all. However, the flight continued normally, and no announcement was made. Some of the passengers I talked to also expressed concern about the bang, and we chatted about the probable causes, but we never really could figure it out.
One thing I did rule out in my own mind, was that we were just hitting the raised runway centre lights, it was much louder than the "thud thud thud" of that.
Any idea what might have caused this?
Thanks in advance!
I'm hoping one of the more experienced users here can answer a question that's been bothering me for some time.
In may of last year, I departed Narita International bound for Heathrow aboard a JAL 744. I've been on many 747 types before, including the 744, and this take-off roll seemed to take a long time. At least it seemed that way at the time. Anyway, upon rotation, just before V2, there was a very loud bang from behind and below me. I should mention at this point that I was in the last row of seats at the rear of the aircraft, in the left-hand window seat. The jolt was strong enough to make me jump an inch or so from my seat.
Of course, I presumed a tailstrike, seems logical I thought, long take-off roll and all. However, the flight continued normally, and no announcement was made. Some of the passengers I talked to also expressed concern about the bang, and we chatted about the probable causes, but we never really could figure it out.
One thing I did rule out in my own mind, was that we were just hitting the raised runway centre lights, it was much louder than the "thud thud thud" of that.
Any idea what might have caused this?
Thanks in advance!