China Eastern Tailstrike LHR 31/03
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Anyone know what's in the A340 QRH? For the 737 with a tailstrike you are not to pressurise. So how to continue a flight? If they continued then perhaps the airbus procedures in conjunction with ECAM messages may be different.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
There was lengthy discussion on this topic when a Cathay A340 had a similar incident almost 12 months ago, departing Auckland, New Zealand.
Here's one of the links:
Cathay tailstrike Auckland
Here's one of the links:
Cathay tailstrike Auckland
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Jeez, if you guys think this is bad just try talking to some of the expat crews flying in China!
Not for the faint hearted, very questionable operating procedures and nil CRM.
But we musn't go questioning the chinese must we?
Not for the faint hearted, very questionable operating procedures and nil CRM.
But we musn't go questioning the chinese must we?
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It would seem to me that, baring a ten ton cement truck (lorry) rolling across the departure runway, that there would be absolutely NO excuse for an early rotation...come on guys...do you not actually CHECK the loadsheet info, and program accordingly????
I think you folks in the very heavy jets need a professional Flight Engineer to keep you out of the deep doggie do-do.
Professional Flight Engineer....don't leave home without one.
They CAN be a lifesaver..in the very best sense.
Would todays' airlines agree?
Ah......NO.
I think you folks in the very heavy jets need a professional Flight Engineer to keep you out of the deep doggie do-do.
Professional Flight Engineer....don't leave home without one.
They CAN be a lifesaver..in the very best sense.
Would todays' airlines agree?
Ah......NO.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
F/E's aren't really a solution, are they 411A. They're gone - never to return.
Besides which, I don't see how you figure an F/E would have prevented an early rotation or tailstrike
SQ offered all of their F/E's transition to pilot training, once their time was up on the 74 Classic - surprisingly only something like 16% were successful.
They were good at what they were employed as, but the reality was FLYING the aeroplane (airplane) and operating a panel were worlds apart.
That doesn't apply only in China, Clipper One - it's true for just about ALL of Asia.
Unfortunately, there is a conflict between CRM and Asian culture, and Asian culture will win out EVERY time when there are 2 (or more) Asians flying together on the flight deck.
This is NOT a racist comment, but one made from the experiences learnt from flying in that region for the past 15 years.
Besides which, I don't see how you figure an F/E would have prevented an early rotation or tailstrike
SQ offered all of their F/E's transition to pilot training, once their time was up on the 74 Classic - surprisingly only something like 16% were successful.
They were good at what they were employed as, but the reality was FLYING the aeroplane (airplane) and operating a panel were worlds apart.
That doesn't apply only in China, Clipper One - it's true for just about ALL of Asia.
Unfortunately, there is a conflict between CRM and Asian culture, and Asian culture will win out EVERY time when there are 2 (or more) Asians flying together on the flight deck.
This is NOT a racist comment, but one made from the experiences learnt from flying in that region for the past 15 years.
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411A
Forgive my presumption as I believe that the report is not out yet but didn't the MK 742 that failed to get airborne at Halifax recently have an FE and isn't the current thinking a suspicion that the crew attempted take-off with and inadequate power setting ?
Not wishing to pre-judge...just repeating what has been reported here on the Pprune site...
Forgive my presumption as I believe that the report is not out yet but didn't the MK 742 that failed to get airborne at Halifax recently have an FE and isn't the current thinking a suspicion that the crew attempted take-off with and inadequate power setting ?
Not wishing to pre-judge...just repeating what has been reported here on the Pprune site...
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Airmanship aside, which of course you would return if knowing you have aircraft damage on a T/O incident!, perhaps the crew involved had diminished airmanship so I was wondering what reason they could possibly have to continue especially if a written procedure clearly stated that they are to land asap or not to pressurise? Therefore no airmanship plus ignoring airbus procedures should equal crew fully irresponsible and accountable. That should be done asap too.
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Eh Siberfuchs the facts are quite easy to come by. I would have thought a pilot taxiing out would be able to distiguish an A340 from a B747 wouldn't you?
China Eastern operate the A340 out of Heathrow and they serve one destination, Shanghai Pu Dong the flight departs at 21:20 local, it is the MU552 non-stop.
Only other Chinese A340 operator is Air China who operate to Beijing which leaves LHR at 20:25 the CA938.
China Airlines don't operate out of LHR and only EVA fly LON-TPE
I hear what you're saying Kaptin m, it's a serious problem. The Koreans as we all know had dreadful problems with this that led to serious incidents and lef to Dick Greenberg from Delta coming in and taking charge and changing everything. He's now retired and the Ops Control is back in the hands of another Korean. Lot of expat crews brought in are now leaving. Draw your own conclusion.
China Eastern operate the A340 out of Heathrow and they serve one destination, Shanghai Pu Dong the flight departs at 21:20 local, it is the MU552 non-stop.
Only other Chinese A340 operator is Air China who operate to Beijing which leaves LHR at 20:25 the CA938.
China Airlines don't operate out of LHR and only EVA fly LON-TPE
I hear what you're saying Kaptin m, it's a serious problem. The Koreans as we all know had dreadful problems with this that led to serious incidents and lef to Dick Greenberg from Delta coming in and taking charge and changing everything. He's now retired and the Ops Control is back in the hands of another Korean. Lot of expat crews brought in are now leaving. Draw your own conclusion.
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I was Checker that night and was called to inspect 09R after the China Eastern A340 tail striked. We entered at N7 and drove all the way down to the old block 86 where we found just south of the centerline a 25 to 30ft scrape of what seemed like a chalky substance. Rnwy surface was not damaged at all luckily. Handed the rnwy back to the Tower. We were all suprised that he didn't return.
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Fact request: does an A340 have any sort of tailbumper, or is contact provided purely by the lower fuselage skin?
If it doesn't have one, then maybe there is a major opportunity waiting there for International Tailbumpers Inc.!
If it doesn't have one, then maybe there is a major opportunity waiting there for International Tailbumpers Inc.!
Tabs please !
I understood that such devices were made from wood much to the amusement of my good lady who is still taking the p*ss 
Are there any modern jets that have a non-metal tail bumper or is wood just used during the minimum unstick tests for new types ?
Are there any modern jets that have a non-metal tail bumper or is wood just used during the minimum unstick tests for new types ?