Delta 55 Airturnback and Evac Lagos
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many carriers use Accra as an alternate. While the emergency response at LOS has improved greatly in recent years hospital facilities are generally better than in Lagos and some operators (not sure about Delta) have a larger maintenance set up.
I see. I did wonder if quality of response by the authority may be a factor.
Accra is of course also an alternate for Delta, but since the pax and crew have all started their journey that evening in Lagos and the emergency seems to have presented itself on climb out, a turn back was likely the overall simpler choice I'd have thought... I doubt the pilot started to think about / consult the company on the details of the quality of hospital facilities at that stage. Of course that might come in to play when there's a mid-flight diversion and there's time for the flight deck to talk with Ops on the available options.
I'm not sure that Delta's maintenance setup is any better at Accra than it is at Lagos, roughly similar I'd say.
Accra is of course also an alternate for Delta, but since the pax and crew have all started their journey that evening in Lagos and the emergency seems to have presented itself on climb out, a turn back was likely the overall simpler choice I'd have thought... I doubt the pilot started to think about / consult the company on the details of the quality of hospital facilities at that stage. Of course that might come in to play when there's a mid-flight diversion and there's time for the flight deck to talk with Ops on the available options.
I'm not sure that Delta's maintenance setup is any better at Accra than it is at Lagos, roughly similar I'd say.
Longtimelurker
Join Date: Nov 1998
Location: killington Vt
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I retired a year ago but unless things have changed landing overweight at DAL did not have to be for a immediate return situation . I’ll have to ask one of my friends on the A330 what the situation really was in this instance.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Delta notified the NTSB before the AIB apparently. Now everybody is apologizing to the Nigerians for the perceived slight so they will release the crew. I'm sure there will be some candid comments about LOS on the two-hour CVR recording. 
Nigeria Queries Delta Air Lines Officials Over Emergency Landing In Lagos | Sahara Reporters
Nigeria Queries Delta Air Lines Officials Over Emergency Landing In Lagos
Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced an investigation into the aircraft incident involving Delta Air Lines in Nigeria.
BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORK FEB 15, 2018
Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced an investigation into the aircraft incident involving Delta Air Lines in Nigeria.
The bureau today interrogated the crew of the airline at its office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
A source close to the agency told Sahara Reporters that the pilots and the cabin crew were among those interrogated today by the agency. This is as the airline has tendered apologies to the Federal Government over the late report of last Tuesday’s incident to the bureau in which one of its engines was engulfed in fire mid-air forcing the airline to return and land in Lagos on emergency.
AIB had told journalists in Lagos on Wednesday that the airline refused to report the incident to it as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended practises and standards.
Rather, the airline went ahead to report the incident to the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States.
A statement by Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, the General Manager, Public Affairs of AIB today said that the airline had apologized to the country for its conduct.
The aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 aircraft had returned to MMIA barely thirty minutes in the air.
The Atlanta bound Delta Flight 55, which departed Lagos Tuesday night returned, following an issue with one of the Airbus 330-200's two engines.
Leading a team of the airline officials including the technical crew of the flight and the airlines Lagos Airport station Manager to the Ikeja head office of the bureau around 5pm local time, Miss Shannon Masters, Manager, Air Safety Investigation expressed the airline's regret for the oversight, stressing that it was not intentional.
Said Masters: “We sincerely apologized for the error and we promise to cooperate with AIB in the investigation of this occurrence.”
The Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru, while accepting Delta's apology said AIB had already commenced an investigation into the serious incident and welcome the airline's cooperation.
"We look forward to receiving cooperation from Delta Airlines as we work to determine the cause of this serious incident in the interest of safety.“
The Nigerian accident investigation body had frowned at the American carrier's failure to notify it of the serious incident involving its aircraft in line with Nigerian air safety regulations and international practice.
The airline was believed to have notified the United States NTSB of the occurrence immediately in line with the US laws.
Nigeria, as the state of occurrence under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 is responsible for investigating any aircraft occurrences within her airspace.
The state of registry of the aircraft and the airline may serve as observers.
Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced an investigation into the aircraft incident involving Delta Air Lines in Nigeria.
BY SAHARA REPORTERS, NEW YORK FEB 15, 2018
Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced an investigation into the aircraft incident involving Delta Air Lines in Nigeria.
The bureau today interrogated the crew of the airline at its office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
A source close to the agency told Sahara Reporters that the pilots and the cabin crew were among those interrogated today by the agency. This is as the airline has tendered apologies to the Federal Government over the late report of last Tuesday’s incident to the bureau in which one of its engines was engulfed in fire mid-air forcing the airline to return and land in Lagos on emergency.
AIB had told journalists in Lagos on Wednesday that the airline refused to report the incident to it as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended practises and standards.
Rather, the airline went ahead to report the incident to the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States.
A statement by Mr. Tunji Oketunbi, the General Manager, Public Affairs of AIB today said that the airline had apologized to the country for its conduct.
The aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 aircraft had returned to MMIA barely thirty minutes in the air.
The Atlanta bound Delta Flight 55, which departed Lagos Tuesday night returned, following an issue with one of the Airbus 330-200's two engines.
Leading a team of the airline officials including the technical crew of the flight and the airlines Lagos Airport station Manager to the Ikeja head office of the bureau around 5pm local time, Miss Shannon Masters, Manager, Air Safety Investigation expressed the airline's regret for the oversight, stressing that it was not intentional.
Said Masters: “We sincerely apologized for the error and we promise to cooperate with AIB in the investigation of this occurrence.”
The Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru, while accepting Delta's apology said AIB had already commenced an investigation into the serious incident and welcome the airline's cooperation.
"We look forward to receiving cooperation from Delta Airlines as we work to determine the cause of this serious incident in the interest of safety.“
The Nigerian accident investigation body had frowned at the American carrier's failure to notify it of the serious incident involving its aircraft in line with Nigerian air safety regulations and international practice.
The airline was believed to have notified the United States NTSB of the occurrence immediately in line with the US laws.
Nigeria, as the state of occurrence under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 is responsible for investigating any aircraft occurrences within her airspace.
The state of registry of the aircraft and the airline may serve as observers.
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Alaska, PNG, etc.
Age: 60
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Under part 121, if you shut down an engine on a twin, you are explicitly required to land at the "nearest suitable airport". The FAA has, in fact, brought enforcement actions on precisely this point. I suppose there there's is some wiggle room in "suitable" but it would be a tough argument to make that Lagos is suitable for a scheduled detestation, but unsuitable for an emergency diversion, hence continuing on some 200 nm to Accra.
Fire light at 1000 feet on departure. Fired first bottle light remained on. Fired second bottle light went out. Landed and requested inspection by fire crew. Told engine was on fire. Evacuated aircraft. Engine change was completed a day or two ago and aircraft was scheduled to ferry out. Not sure if the Nigerians released it yet. There may be some question about the fire description by CFR. The original warning was valid. Really great job by the crew getting the aircraft on the ground in 8 minutes.
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Alaska, PNG, etc.
Age: 60
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sailvi767
That's true, the fact that it was a fire adds another level of immediacy. I'm just saying that even if it were not a fire, say a precautionary shutdown, you're still required to land at the nearest suitable airport, not continue on to a place that is more convenient for whatever reason.
That's true, the fact that it was a fire adds another level of immediacy. I'm just saying that even if it were not a fire, say a precautionary shutdown, you're still required to land at the nearest suitable airport, not continue on to a place that is more convenient for whatever reason.
The fact that a fire light came on, not extinguished on first bottle but by second could possibly be due to
Limited fuel source in normally cold section area. The amount of visible charring in that case would confirm the degree.
I'll keep an eye open for anymore findings here
Limited fuel source in normally cold section area. The amount of visible charring in that case would confirm the degree.
I'll keep an eye open for anymore findings here
