CX780 squawk 7700
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Australia
Age: 49
Posts: 86
Hot brakes in the cruise, wheel well fire suspected.
A good example of a "textbook" in flight emergency, appropriately diverted to the nearest suitable airport.
Yet another example of two highly capable, professional, CX Pilots doing what CX Pilots do routinely. You get what you pay for people. Sadly most of these incidents never make the papers because the Pilots do such a good job.
A good example of a "textbook" in flight emergency, appropriately diverted to the nearest suitable airport.
Yet another example of two highly capable, professional, CX Pilots doing what CX Pilots do routinely. You get what you pay for people. Sadly most of these incidents never make the papers because the Pilots do such a good job.
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: OZ
Posts: 203
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A330-300, registration B-HLT performing flight CX-780 from Surabaya (Indonesia) to Hong Kong (China), was enroute at FL380 over the South China Sea about 300nm northwest of Manila (Philippines) when the crew received a hot brakes indication and suspected a wheel well fire. The aircraft descended to FL100, the gear was extended and the aircraft diverted to Manila for a safe landing about one hour later.
The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Manila "due to emergency maintenance".
The aircraft was able to continue the flight to Hong Kong after about 5:15 hours on the ground and reached Hong Kong with a delay of 7 hours.
The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Manila "due to emergency maintenance".
The aircraft was able to continue the flight to Hong Kong after about 5:15 hours on the ground and reached Hong Kong with a delay of 7 hours.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hong Kong SAR
Age: 77
Posts: 292
Highest level of professionalism by the department with the lowest pay rise.
What has airmanship to do with pay rises?
Airmanship is perhaps the only remaining reason for choosing CX.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 2
Poonpossum,
It's quite simply explained really.
If you have been flying for a few hours with the landing gear retracted and suddenly, when the temperatures around the brakes are about -40C, there is an indication of heat, there are two potential causes. It's either a fire in the wheel-well (lots of electrical circuits, hydraulic systems at high pressure etc down there) or it's a faulty brake temperature sensor.
With no way of telling for sure......what would you do with Manila as the nearest airport?
It's quite simply explained really.
If you have been flying for a few hours with the landing gear retracted and suddenly, when the temperatures around the brakes are about -40C, there is an indication of heat, there are two potential causes. It's either a fire in the wheel-well (lots of electrical circuits, hydraulic systems at high pressure etc down there) or it's a faulty brake temperature sensor.
With no way of telling for sure......what would you do with Manila as the nearest airport?
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Geostationary Plaza
Posts: 18
Well, if only one brake showed high temp and the remaining 3 of the same gear are at normal, coolish temp (not that on an Airbus the brakes are ever cool 
), I would put my money on sensor fault. But yeah, safety first of course, so good job.
), I would put my money on sensor fault. But yeah, safety first of course, so good job.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Here & there
Posts: 776
Well, if only one brake showed high temp and the remaining 3 of the same gear are at normal, coolish temp
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Geostationary Plaza
Posts: 18
????
Hugo, which part of my comment "safety first", didn't you understand?
I will spell it slowly for you: I would have diverted but at the same time I would calmed myself that I am probably and hopefully not on fire one only one sensor is showing a high temperature.
@BuzzBox: a second brake temperature indication going up, would have really started to worry me.
So, I say again: good job.
Hugo, which part of my comment "safety first", didn't you understand?
I will spell it slowly for you: I would have diverted but at the same time I would calmed myself that I am probably and hopefully not on fire one only one sensor is showing a high temperature.
@BuzzBox: a second brake temperature indication going up, would have really started to worry me.
So, I say again: good job.
