KLM MD11 emergency landing
Stercus Accidit
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KLM MD11 emergency landing
A KLM MD11 (flight KL763) has made an emergency landing in Shannon because of fuel shortage. It was underway from Willemstad (Curacao) to Schiphol Airport when the pilot discovered the fuel shortage. It was too late to return to Willemstad and the pilot decided therefore to make an emergency landing in Shannon to refuel. The 294 passengers arrived safely on Schiphol with 2,5 hours delay.
Stercus Accidit
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I used the phrase emergency landing, not sure how KLM will call it. My appologies if I used the wrong technical phrase.
It is strange though that the MD11 left Willemstad with apparently insufficient fuel to reach it's original destination.
It is strange though that the MD11 left Willemstad with apparently insufficient fuel to reach it's original destination.
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There is also a possibility where the error chain was breached and it has happened regulary. Example crew asks for 76tons of fuel...rush rush...sh@t they see they have 67tons of fuel on taxiway and no fuel leak confirmed.. One can depart and reclear on rte....just gets a bit tight. ...lot of writing to do and if you have to drop into SNN en route so be it.
Most important...the flight landed safely....
Most important...the flight landed safely....
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There are a few scenarios on the MD-11 that result in a loss of tail fuel management, with consequent shifting of CG to a much more forward position. Fuel burn goes up, and pilots have to stop short.
The flight departed with enough fuel. For the oceanic crossing, it probably did not get its intended route, econ mach nr. and flight level. Ended up on the other side of the atlantic with enough fuel to make it to AMS, but not enough to comfortably make a diversion from ams to another field.
Non-event.
Non-event.
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Without further info, and given the (now admitted) hysterical title to the thread, maybe they took-off knowing they would / might need to call in at EINN? Our SOPs allow "replan enroute" if fuel is tight, using the intended destination as the Flt Plan dest. If at the "replan" point, not enough remains, then we call up and arrange a pitstop.... i.e. we can depart with not enough fuel to make dest with usual div/reserves etc., but reassess later on.
This might be due unusual high load / strong headwinds or MEL issues...
This might be due unusual high load / strong headwinds or MEL issues...
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According to a spokesperson from KLM the flight left Willemstad with the sufficient amount of fuel. But due to a stronger than forecast headwind and the fact that they didnt get the level they wanted it resulted in a refuel stop in Shannon.
As fox niner was saying... a non-event.
As fox niner was saying... a non-event.
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Capt. KAOS
'tis obvious this guy is not in the industry, I can't be bothered to try & explain re-clear/re-release etc to this numty. Capt KAOS stay in yr regi spotters box.
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Sir Freddie's DC-10-10's were marginal on the westbound LGW-JFK route and, as I recall, filed to Bangor, Maine. Then if all went well (winds, traffic etc.) they would refile direct JFK.
If a fuel stop became necessary they took the opportunity to clear customs at Bangor, thus arriving JFK as a domestic flight. So - the total time lost was minimized for pax.
Does anyone have statistics re how often they had to refuel, vs refiling direct JFK?
If a fuel stop became necessary they took the opportunity to clear customs at Bangor, thus arriving JFK as a domestic flight. So - the total time lost was minimized for pax.
Does anyone have statistics re how often they had to refuel, vs refiling direct JFK?
Actually merlinxx, I'd like to think that the average spotter does know the diference. Don't lump them all into one basket. Anyway, Capt KAOS has already apologised and I trust he will be a little more careful how he phrases things in the future. Who knows, maybe he wants to become a newspaper reporter and was just practising 
