Etihad flight delayed 20hrs due wrong tow bar
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Unless EY have very unique towbars (which I don't believe they woud have because it's not cost effective), then the normal A346 towbar is also used for the A345 as standard.It's a heavy weight towbar compared to others.
An A330/A343 towbar cannot be used for either aircraft due to the weight differential and the shear pin loading.
Are you sure that an A343 towbar was not loaded in error?
An A330/A343 towbar cannot be used for either aircraft due to the weight differential and the shear pin loading.
Are you sure that an A343 towbar was not loaded in error?
When I worked there a few years ago there was a total of ONE towbarless tug.
It may have been ditched by now. No idea why they are not used more in Scotland.
Thinking more about it, its because stations like EDI and GLA get the dregs of the equipment. Almost all second hand, ex MAN or ex LHR.
It may have been ditched by now. No idea why they are not used more in Scotland.
Thinking more about it, its because stations like EDI and GLA get the dregs of the equipment. Almost all second hand, ex MAN or ex LHR.
Last edited by OntimeexceptACARS; 26th Jul 2016 at 17:05. Reason: Edit : no i have a really good idea
A typical A346 bar is almost 12ft long (353cm) weighing 205kgs, not going inside any of the usual single aisles that grace EDI's ramp.
Plus, a station that has one probably has it for a reason, won't want to send it away for a day (or more).
On a related note, the new E190E2 family from Brazil has a different noseleg to
'classic' E190's, will need a different bar !
'ZG
Plus, a station that has one probably has it for a reason, won't want to send it away for a day (or more).
On a related note, the new E190E2 family from Brazil has a different noseleg to
'classic' E190's, will need a different bar !
'ZG
won't want to send it away for a day
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I doubt any ground handling agent would want to shoot themselves in the foot and cause extra issues for themselves to help out another station, due to a problem caused by the airlines own incompetence 
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Had the old A300 vs A320 tow bar issue years ago. Enough difference that the tow bar wouldn't lock in place. Tape to hold handle close to locked position and gentle pushback was the answer. It still came off. Thank goodness it was far enough back so that we could taxi away.
We would never receive an aircraft onto a pushback bay if we didn't have the capability to push it back. That said, these guys obviously believed they had the proper equipment given the assumed correct tow bar was in the hold.
Probably easier all round to just put on to a power out bay in the first place.
Probably easier all round to just put on to a power out bay in the first place.
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There isn't many airports in the UK where you're going to find a 'power out' parking stand capable of taking the A346, I'd imagine a lot of the taxiways at EDI struggle to take it let alone a parking stand
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Exactly! and sometimes things go wrong and you can't just conjure up expensive, and comparatively rare, pieces of equipment.
It was a mistake and they occur from time to time; always have and always will.
It was a mistake and they occur from time to time; always have and always will.
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I believe something like this happened in Shannon a few years back. A Lufthansa A340 landed with an emergency. The captain asked the ground crew if they had the correct tow bar for the type as it is different to the A330 before he went on stand. Ground crew said yeh we have that type. Turns out they didn't; even after being told and one had to be flown out from Frankfurt. Was quite the delay.
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Lesson to be learned here,for all of us.
If you ever have to divert,enroute...avoid parking on a finger,unless you can confirm,100%, that they have a tow bar for your aircraft type..
Its in my diversion checklist..
If you ever have to divert,enroute...avoid parking on a finger,unless you can confirm,100%, that they have a tow bar for your aircraft type..
Its in my diversion checklist..
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time to bring in that front gear with the motor so the ac can just move itself.
Jack