Vulcan incident Doncaster 28th May

[hurn]

I believe there were eight spare engines at the start of the project and they have used two. The latest incident would mean they are down to four. I suppose it all depends on what else they find when they remove the errant engines. Quite happy to be corrected if this isn't the case.

Yes, they started with eight zero timed engines of which four went into the airframe at the last major. Two have been replaced since 'first flight 07' as a precautionary measure at Rolls Royce request and there are still two zero timed engines available for use.

I've heard rumours that the two low timed ones that were previously removed may be allowed back into service, but as yet it's not (at least publicly) known whether that will happen.

It's a damn shame this has happened now though as they were very close to raising enough cash needed to get them into the display season. Still, nobody hurt, and the aircraft is in one piece so just awaiting more news and hoping for the best really.

[morton]

Waddo Plumber has given me a flashback! During my time in RAF Lincolnshire I enjoyed the experiences of watching many practice and actual displays. The Summer of 1972 is still fresh in my mind – although many other things have long since been forgotten.

That Summer the sun actually shone for days on end and life was good. Posted into the SSA at Scampton my time was torn between watching the Munich Olympics on television, strolling round the site whilst the camp played war games, or going up to the lookout post on the D1 mound to watch the world go by. It was from here one fine day I watched a particularly energetic display.

Taking off Eastwards it seemed to leap into the air (25 - 40% fuel load?). Showing off the amazing agility of such a large Aircraft to advantage as he climbed and banked with consummate ease he then ran down the runway and did a hard wingover L/H turn. To this day I swear I had a plan view of the Aircraft as I looked almost horizontally at the top of the cockpit before he slid off down the vale towards Brattleby and beyond. Forty years on and I still get goose-bumps!

Whatever happens to 558, there will be as many or more of us who, upon hearing the evocative roar of the Olympus engines, are transported back to times gone by and only remembering the good bits. A mass of people have spent a lot of paid and unpaid time as well as their own money to get 558 flying. Let’s hope that it is a quick fix and she can soon be shown off to advantage again and their hard earned endeavours rewarded. With the display season upon us time really is money.

[AGS Man]

Even if 558 is finally grounded fast taxi runs can still be done and you never know... we all thought a Victor would never fly again!

[Gingie]

Do the crew get paid for flying or is it totally voluntary?

[Tankertrashnav]

I'm not sure there's much point in XH558 flying at all.

I'm sure the 400 odd who attended the V-Force Reunion at Newark last month would disagree with you . The overflight of 558 was the highlight of the day, even for us Victor types! Let's hope a double engine change is all that's required, and that no other significant damage occurred.

[TEEEJ]

[Agaricus bisporus]

Given the tiny amount of hours it flies does it not seem strange that two zero timed engined have been replaced and only "may" be returned to service? Not an impressive serviceability rate from as new engines, is it?

[hurn]

I think it's probably just down to Rolls Royce being extremely cautious with old engines that hadn't been used for years and wanting to play it safe.

[maliyahsdad2]

From Facebook,

Engine Damage Update - issued Wednesday 30th May - 5pm

The technical team spent yesterday (Tuesday) investigating the engine damage on XH558, to determine its cause and to start assessing the timescale and cost of rectification.

We have already established that both engines No.1 and No.2 on the port side are sadly beyond repair, both having suffered blade damage and the effect of excessive heat.

The primary cause of the damage has been determined to be ingestion of silica gel desiccant bags. The most likely sequence of events was that material was ingested by No.1 engine, which surged and suffered LP compressor blade failure. Debris was then sucked into No. 2 which then also failed.

All relevant agencies and technical authorities have been informed. “We have been greatly reassured by the support from industry colleagues, and would like to thank all those who have offered help,” said engineering director Andrew Edmondson.

We would also like to place on record our thanks to all at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield for their swift and professional reaction on Monday, whilst also apologising to those affected by delays or diversions.

In accordance with normal procedures, a formal investigation into the incident has been opened, chaired by the Chairman of the Trust’s Safety Review Committee.

The technical inspection has so far showed that no airframe damage was sustained, with damage being limited to the engines. The next step is to replace the damaged engines with two from the Trust’s remaining stock. Timescales for a return to flight are not yet clear – we will of course update the web site with progress and give details in the e-newsletters each week.

“We are deeply sorry that this incident has happened, and at this time in 2012. The additional unplanned costs are clearly very worrying as resources are, as ever very tight” said the charity’s chief executive, Dr. Robert Pleming. “We are actively working on a plan to recover our Jubilee season schedule and we will share this with you as soon as practical via the newsletter, Facebook page, Twitter feed and the web site.”

With many thanks to all for continuing to support Vulcan XH558.

The Vulcan Team

[Feathers McGraw]

Hmm

I spent a few minutes with Google and found this:

Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum • View topic - Lyneham 28 Oct 09

In particular there is this post:

Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum • View topic - Lyneham 28 Oct 09

So, does this mean that the silica gel packets ingested were actually inside the intakes and were not removed before flight?

[Fox Four]

Unless the runway had been littered with desiccant bags, that must be the only conclusion....

[Feathers McGraw]

Indeed.

The bags shown are pretty large, much bigger than the little ones which come with moisture sensitive things like cameras and lenses. Had these been on the ground, the Vulcan intakes are sufficiently far up that I would not have thought the intake suction would be enough to lift something that large that far up.

[nacluv]

... or '558 was unlucky enough to be underneath an overhead emergency airdrop of dessicant bags on the t/o run-up?

Difficult to think of any other explanation other than they were left in the intakes.

[SFCC]

Oh dear. This isn't looking very good!

[M100S2]

Ingestion of silica gel desiccant bags????

FFS I had to read that a few times to be sure my eyes are not deceiving me. I even wondered if someone had dumped LSD in my cup of tea.

I'm sure who left them in the engine intakes is mortified, but sadly there is an overwhelming whiff of gross incompetence here by more than one person.

Of course it could have been much worse if it had got off the ground but an incident like this has almost certainly pissed a lot of people off who have contributed in the past to this project and are now very unlikely to do so in future.

What a bunch of fking amateurs.

[SFCC]

Quite so......that's what I wanted to type but took the easy path instead.
That's it from me I'm afraid. Total and utter incompetance from the top to the bottom.
The whole sham deserves to fail now and I have a feeling it will after this little faux pas.

[Fox Four]

I think questions must be asked about the procedures followed by all the people involved. I'm quite astounded the crew missed it on the pre-flight walk around. Yes, the intakes are way off the ground, so go and get a step ladder. With a very limited budget of other folks money, you cannot afford errors like this.

[Feathers McGraw]

I have a nasty suspicion that the need to fly 558 under VFR has pushed things this way, I gather from what I've seen that the good weather on Monday was seen as an opportunity and so an unscheduled flight was decided on.

Perhaps that lack of scheduling has led to corners being cut, and please don't take that as in anyway pointing the finger of blame. I suppose that with only a week to run to the Jubilee weekend and with little display practice possible due to funding and servicing delays there was pressure on to be ready and hence something was forgotten when in haste. Since the opposite side engines did not get FODded, it would be possible for someone who saw some removed dessicant packs to assume that they were from both sides rather than just one, or indeed 3 intakes instead of 4.

[Nige321]

Wouln't a length of rope tied to the bags and a 'Remove before flight' flag dangling out the intakes have been prudent...?

[ShyTorque]

Thank goodness this didn't result in the loss of the entire aircraft!

With Bawtry on the climbout it doesn't bear thinking about - it could have been disastrous (especially as I've yet not used my £50 voucher in the China Rose restaurant).