MK 74F down in PHC?
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: England
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After the tragic events of yesterday, you'd think people would have better things to do than to take 'pop-shots' at a company which has had a bad time of it.
I would also like to point out at this time that certain members of this forum might like to get their facts straight before making comment. "Der Guvnor" for instance, seems to speak so explicitly on topics and issues relating to MK and other airlines that I wonder where he finds the time to start an airline of his own after all that "research"!
Cheers all,
I would also like to point out at this time that certain members of this forum might like to get their facts straight before making comment. "Der Guvnor" for instance, seems to speak so explicitly on topics and issues relating to MK and other airlines that I wonder where he finds the time to start an airline of his own after all that "research"!
Cheers all,
Aeroguru: Whilst I can't comment on MK's B747 operations, they are well known for "packing" crew into their DC-8's. The crew at MK are definitely a great team to work with, but sometimes I do feel that corners are cut for whatever reason.
Condolences to those involved.
Condolences to those involved.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I don´t necessarily count myself as a "Guv-basher" but Guv, where did you hear that the aircraft ran out of fuel?
As anyone who´s operated (or even jump-seated) in Nigeria will attest, there are all kinds of ways to crash an airplane down there and ATC can be a major factor. At least in this case plenty of people have lived to tell the tale.
As for MK´s safety record there is another element common to the three accidents besides the company that operated them, namely the location. Statistically, Nigeria has to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world to operate in.
As anyone who´s operated (or even jump-seated) in Nigeria will attest, there are all kinds of ways to crash an airplane down there and ATC can be a major factor. At least in this case plenty of people have lived to tell the tale.
As for MK´s safety record there is another element common to the three accidents besides the company that operated them, namely the location. Statistically, Nigeria has to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world to operate in.
Top Dog
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Close to FACT
Age: 55
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Someone mentioned 8 people max. Depends on the # of Upper Deck slides. Most conversions have TWO Upper Deck exits; our old -271C in Cargolux could carry a max of 18 total, before we modified them with bunks (3 crew seats, 2 jump seats in the cockpit, 1 jump seat in the galley, 12 "pax" seats). We also had more than enough reels for everybody.
The Flight Mechanic (the one who was evacuated by Air Ambulance to ZRH) is a former Cargolux guy. I had a beer with him about two weeks ago. Thank goodness he got out.
The Flight Mechanic (the one who was evacuated by Air Ambulance to ZRH) is a former Cargolux guy. I had a beer with him about two weeks ago. Thank goodness he got out.
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very little has been said about PHC itself. This airport is well known as a trap especially at night.
Unless it has been upgraded lately the VOR was well known to have you 2 to 3 miles off the centreline even though the CDI was centred and the runway lighting was very unreliable. Combine these factors with early morning fog or a low ceiling and there is the recipe for a disaster.
Has any one else been there recently at night who can comment?
As with all accidents there is a chain of factors. All links of this chain need to be examined before making a conclusion.
Unless it has been upgraded lately the VOR was well known to have you 2 to 3 miles off the centreline even though the CDI was centred and the runway lighting was very unreliable. Combine these factors with early morning fog or a low ceiling and there is the recipe for a disaster.
Has any one else been there recently at night who can comment?
As with all accidents there is a chain of factors. All links of this chain need to be examined before making a conclusion.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: England
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, Nigeria, Port Harcourt especially is a complete sh**hole. Have to hand it to MK for actually flying there in the first place!
All the factors of fog, bad radio navs, and ATC being asleep was definitely a recipe for disaster. Well said Larky!
Cheers
All the factors of fog, bad radio navs, and ATC being asleep was definitely a recipe for disaster. Well said Larky!
Cheers
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Montsegur
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I note that there have been a number of suggestions that MK are a "flag of convenience" operation. I know that they base some aircraft in the UK and have some offices here. However, I understand that they have more aircraft based in Ghana than the UK and conduct significant operations in that area. If this is the case it would seem quite correct that the airline should have an AOC issued in Ghana. The ICAO requirement is that the AOC is issued by the state in which the airline has its principal place of business.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UTC +8
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The carrier's 4 Diesel Eights -55Fs are only Stage 2, certainly unwelcome in Europe. With its sole 74 trashed, only its two remaining -62Fs are Stage 3 equipped; which is to say that the majority of its fleet must necessarily be based outside Europe.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cathar - very few MK aircraft see ACC. Their principal place of business is defined as their administrative office and that's located in Sussex (address on the first page of this thread). From an operational viewpoint, most of their aircraft seem to congregate around MSE and LUX.
However, during pineapple season, they take full advantage of their Ghana registry to elbow any other non Ghanaian carriers out of the way in order to take them north to Europe. They still do a lot out of HRE (though with declining production due to the farm invasions, there have been declining exports); and as I understand it they are also involved in the flower and veg trade out of Kenya and fish out of South Africa and Namibia.
Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention is that despite the UK base, neither the company or its personnel pay any UK taxes.
[ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]
However, during pineapple season, they take full advantage of their Ghana registry to elbow any other non Ghanaian carriers out of the way in order to take them north to Europe. They still do a lot out of HRE (though with declining production due to the farm invasions, there have been declining exports); and as I understand it they are also involved in the flower and veg trade out of Kenya and fish out of South Africa and Namibia.
Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention is that despite the UK base, neither the company or its personnel pay any UK taxes.
[ 28 November 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Zimbabwe
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
News from HRE office of MK.
A/C had 40% fuel load remaining - did not run out of fuel.
A/C was carrying one pre-deceased body back to Johannesburg, hence reports of two fatalities. Deceased is Casper Steenkamp (South African).
Two 747 First Captains on board CASEVAC to JNB by 23:00 SAST tonight condition not considered critical.
One Critical Mike Duncan CASEVAC to U.K.
Accident Investigation pending.
A/C had 40% fuel load remaining - did not run out of fuel.
A/C was carrying one pre-deceased body back to Johannesburg, hence reports of two fatalities. Deceased is Casper Steenkamp (South African).
Two 747 First Captains on board CASEVAC to JNB by 23:00 SAST tonight condition not considered critical.
One Critical Mike Duncan CASEVAC to U.K.
Accident Investigation pending.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: 1000ft above you, giving you the bird!
Posts: 579
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Condolences to all,
In the good old days before the internet, we used to banter around the bar / club-house and look with interest at the news to learn more.
"Wait for the frikin AIB report before mouthing off about an accident that no-one on this forum was involved in".
Sit back, drink another beer, and thank your lucky stars it was not YOU!
In the good old days before the internet, we used to banter around the bar / club-house and look with interest at the news to learn more.
"Wait for the frikin AIB report before mouthing off about an accident that no-one on this forum was involved in".
Sit back, drink another beer, and thank your lucky stars it was not YOU!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Over here...
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LARKY - We're currently operating into PHC at the moment - not popular with the crew - even guys with 20yrs Africa experience.
---------------------------------------------
The last thing the industry needs at the moment is bad press - some of the "comments" by so called proffessionals here will just feed a media which has aviation under the spotlight for their own ends.
There are people suffering as a result of this incident - yet some see it as an opportunity to "get stuck in"... quite sad really.
At least MK are out there operating - despite some views expressed.
By the way, our A/C are Dutch regd and there's been one here for two hours total in past 4 yrs.....
---------------------------------------------
The last thing the industry needs at the moment is bad press - some of the "comments" by so called proffessionals here will just feed a media which has aviation under the spotlight for their own ends.
There are people suffering as a result of this incident - yet some see it as an opportunity to "get stuck in"... quite sad really.
At least MK are out there operating - despite some views expressed.
By the way, our A/C are Dutch regd and there's been one here for two hours total in past 4 yrs.....
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: joburg
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I cannot belive that some of you can be so heartless we are in a dangerous job and are we forgetting that there are people dead and hurt i have met a few of the mk pilots when i fly around these ****ty parts of africa and they are always helpful and nice guys some respect please for there families.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sussex UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the misfortune to go to PHC a couple of weeks back. Although you get clearance for a VOR approach there is an ILS on 110.3 which seemed pretty accurate. As with anything else in Nigeria there is no guarantee that there will be anything on the frequency next time you tune it. 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Mid Atlantic
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I operated in Nigeria for a year in the early eighties. While I was there there were 6 major commercial aircraft accidents (including one that I actually witnessed) and as many more again of 'very near things'.
Every day I went to work there I felt I was taking my life in my hands like no other place I've ever been.
It's just amazing that more accidents don't happen there. It's a commercial airliner graveyard. I wouldn't go back for all the tea in china.
Every day I went to work there I felt I was taking my life in my hands like no other place I've ever been.
It's just amazing that more accidents don't happen there. It's a commercial airliner graveyard. I wouldn't go back for all the tea in china.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Home
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So far Skerpie your last posting is up to date and correct, your also right about the casket on its way to SA.
By the way guys easy on PHC I work out here in PHC and the airport is quite in good shape and the ILS is fully operational and on target, so is the Radar!
First you go about bashing each other about MK airlines and now somebody drops one on PHC and we start the bashing all over again.
I am here in PHC (Based here too) and will get some info from the guys tonight,I only just got back from Warri last night.
Should be able to overfly the Airport in the morning so I might get a picture for you guys on pprune.
Let us wait for the investigation report before we start all this bashing of who did what and, this did do that and all that, it will not help the crew.
My heart goes to the families of the crew and on behalf of all the guys out here Gods speed to a full recovery.
By the way guys easy on PHC I work out here in PHC and the airport is quite in good shape and the ILS is fully operational and on target, so is the Radar!
First you go about bashing each other about MK airlines and now somebody drops one on PHC and we start the bashing all over again.
I am here in PHC (Based here too) and will get some info from the guys tonight,I only just got back from Warri last night.
Should be able to overfly the Airport in the morning so I might get a picture for you guys on pprune.
Let us wait for the investigation report before we start all this bashing of who did what and, this did do that and all that, it will not help the crew.
My heart goes to the families of the crew and on behalf of all the guys out here Gods speed to a full recovery.