British Plane on Fire in Afghanistan..
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Bit of a close call! Thank the Good Lord that everyone got out ok - well done to those involved - 'shreddie changes' all round!? I bet the beer will taste good tonight!!!!
I'm sure everything will come out soon enough but a tyre-burst v engine damage theory seems 'a bit thin' to me as the tyres are well covered by fuselage/doors. Also, the tyres are well below and behind the 'business part' of the inboard engines - but the tyres are in line with the ext fuel tank (if a K). Lots of other possibilities, tho' - FOD v Aux Fuel tank, SA v Fuel tank/engine, uncontained Engine Fire etc. Any hares running yet?
However, it is also peculiar how the damage became so widespread, so quickly. Would foam have helped stop the spread of fire - maybe? dunno? I am sure the BOI will do a thorough job whatever.
Don't suppose there was any fire cover other than a donkey's water trough, half a mile away! That, however, is an operational risk everyone knows is impossible to get around. But I thought we carried an extra large chem-foam fire extinguisher for emergencies for strip-work? That might have helped? - tho' on the other hand, probably not!
Whatever the cause, that is one less Albert in the inventory - that means less training, less kit, less felxibility, more money req'd from MOD/Treasury to replace capability - bu@@er!
But on the other hand - 2 Gp must now be overborne with crews - so expect the redundancy letters from PMA soon!???
I'm sure everything will come out soon enough but a tyre-burst v engine damage theory seems 'a bit thin' to me as the tyres are well covered by fuselage/doors. Also, the tyres are well below and behind the 'business part' of the inboard engines - but the tyres are in line with the ext fuel tank (if a K). Lots of other possibilities, tho' - FOD v Aux Fuel tank, SA v Fuel tank/engine, uncontained Engine Fire etc. Any hares running yet?
However, it is also peculiar how the damage became so widespread, so quickly. Would foam have helped stop the spread of fire - maybe? dunno? I am sure the BOI will do a thorough job whatever.
Don't suppose there was any fire cover other than a donkey's water trough, half a mile away! That, however, is an operational risk everyone knows is impossible to get around. But I thought we carried an extra large chem-foam fire extinguisher for emergencies for strip-work? That might have helped? - tho' on the other hand, probably not!
Whatever the cause, that is one less Albert in the inventory - that means less training, less kit, less felxibility, more money req'd from MOD/Treasury to replace capability - bu@@er!
But on the other hand - 2 Gp must now be overborne with crews - so expect the redundancy letters from PMA soon!???
Last edited by flipster; 24th May 2006 at 16:15.
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Quite frankly it could have been something as simple as a minor brake fire which would have been a bit of a non-event anywhere else. Unfortunately the local fire service consists of 3 men and a pump carried on a donkey called Desmond.
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I'm sure everything will come out soon enough but a tyre-burst v engine damage theory seems 'a bit thin' to me
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Am sure everyone familiar with Chinook crash knows that when C4 decide to do a story they stay with it. Damn sure they are running with ESF. Almost made it on tonight, pity. Desmond said foam would not have helped in this instance; he is a very brave man for saying that. Foam acts as a barrier to FOD, and God forbid if that ac was shot at, heads have to roll this time.
set 18, have cleared PM box.
set 18, have cleared PM box.
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Originally Posted by Daysleeper
Unfortunately the local fire service consists of 3 men and a pump carried on a donkey called Desmond.
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Just who thought it was a good idea to part-ex Ks for Js whilst hoping (and its a big hope) that the A400M will hit the ground running as a useful bit of kit. - And from my experience in both those programs the hairbrush effort is so flawed it will make the J look faultless.
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We are going to have a problem well before A400M hits the streets. This thing (Afg) has not even started yet. 3 yrs from now what state are we going to be in?
I was out in Kosovo when we totalled a MK1 off a strip. Please take care of the crew and pax in Afg. Fortunately my crew were not on shift that night in Kosovo. We looked after the other crew on their return (plied them with drink). Do not underestimate the effect of the shock. S**t happens fellas you did a great job getting everyone out of Albert in one piece.
I was out in Kosovo when we totalled a MK1 off a strip. Please take care of the crew and pax in Afg. Fortunately my crew were not on shift that night in Kosovo. We looked after the other crew on their return (plied them with drink). Do not underestimate the effect of the shock. S**t happens fellas you did a great job getting everyone out of Albert in one piece.
Last edited by nigegilb; 24th May 2006 at 20:11.
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Nige is spot on (as ever) - anyone out there - please take care of the crew. Just because they 'walked away' doesn't make it all 'tickedy boo'. Shock takes many forms and can creep up insidiously on the unsuspecting -even if they are 'rock hard'. That said, getting them 'back in the saddle' quickly must be a priority too!
Now, to those who are slightly more up to date than me - please tell me we have been carrying those foam fire extinguishers if landing on strips? If not, I bet you will next time! Imagine if the locals were not expecting you and your minister - or what if if the locals became 'unfriendly'!?
One supposes that the full might of the RAF's CSAR (Combat Survival and Rescue) Helos went immediately into action and picked up our brave troops under the cover of the supporting CAS, AWACs, AAR and fighter top-cover. Then again...........perhaps not!!!!
I would certainly be keen to hear the CSAR debrief!!!!
Now, to those who are slightly more up to date than me - please tell me we have been carrying those foam fire extinguishers if landing on strips? If not, I bet you will next time! Imagine if the locals were not expecting you and your minister - or what if if the locals became 'unfriendly'!?
One supposes that the full might of the RAF's CSAR (Combat Survival and Rescue) Helos went immediately into action and picked up our brave troops under the cover of the supporting CAS, AWACs, AAR and fighter top-cover. Then again...........perhaps not!!!!
I would certainly be keen to hear the CSAR debrief!!!!
Last edited by flipster; 24th May 2006 at 21:10.
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It was a major drama getting clearance for internal fire extinguisher on SF. Did it again in Afg (Main Sqn) 2002. I suspect conditions on the ground are particularly challenging on the strips in Afg. Like I say s**t happens. Wrote to HCDC ref concerns about force protection and CSAR. Got fobbed off by Govt Defence Ministers, funny old thing. The crew in Kosovo got picked up by an unlikely ally. Do not want to explain here. Still v angry about lack of foam. Do not appreciate Des Browne pre-empting AAIB result.
Serious point. Welfare of crew and pax highest priority at mo.
Maybe ex ALM chip in about fire cover.....
NG
Serious point. Welfare of crew and pax highest priority at mo.
Maybe ex ALM chip in about fire cover.....
NG