AA1134 LAX-LHR Loses Engine, Diverts to JFK
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I don't fault BA for flying across the Atlantic on three engines. The FAA says it is ok so why the problem? Most of our DC10's did fine. Guess I will get blasted for this post.
Oh well, blast.
Oh well, blast.
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Could you all please answer 2 questions for an arm chair guy who doesn't want to make second guesses. Does anybody know the point / the distance from KJFK where the engine failed / was shut down yet? Haven't seen precise figures until now. And how far would this point have to be away from KJFK (of course in relation to alternates like CYYZ or CYUL or whatever) to make the discussion of a possible wrong decision to go to KJFK valid?
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Originally Posted by the_hawk
Could you all please answer 2 questions for an arm chair guy who doesn't want to make second guesses. Does anybody know the point / the distance from KJFK where the engine failed / was shut down yet? Haven't seen precise figures until now. And how far would this point have to be away from KJFK (of course in relation to alternates like CYYZ or CYUL or whatever) to make the discussion of a possible wrong decision to go to KJFK valid?
North of Montreal and immediate failure or just in upstate NY and gradually onset of problem are completely different scenarios.
Today 04:23bubbers44The pilot made all of the correct decisions. He made a 90 degree right turn over Canada and landed at JFK because of the thump. He did what any other 777 captain would have done. Landing at the nearest suitable airport only is required when you actually lose the engine. Dumping fuel also has to fit into the equation.
The engine did fail. Nearest suitable becomes an issue.
Reading the various statements makes it hard to figure out if the problem, decision to divert, and the resulting engine failure, was reached in a short time (1,2,3 minutes, etc) or if it took place over a long time period(5, 10, 20 minutes). The time factor, combined with actual location, is important in evaluating the decisions made.
No saying that this is the case here but what gets said publically isn't always the same as what get said privately, be it actual events, timeline, or attaboys vs. wrist slaps. ("I didn't have sex with that woman")
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I just reread the captain's report of what happened. When they diverted north of ALB to JFK at FL350 they had no reason to shut down an engine but conferred with mx and decided to go to JFK because of the thump. Descending for the arrival at FL220 the engine problems started resulting in a shut down. The captain was consistently considering other divert airports but considered JFK his best choice at that time. Very professionally done in my opinion. He landed 15,000 pounds overweight because of time limitations so landing before JFK would have made a heavier landing which must also be considered. Familiarity with an airport and weather also dictate what is the nearest suitable airport.
