PAL777 engine fire
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: US
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Normal gear retraction is as soon as a known, stabilized, rate of climb is achieved. For non pilots that typically confirmed prior to 50' AGL. With an engine failure, unless the plane is very light, the ability of an airliner to accelerate to get rid of flaps (reducing drag) is much tougher. Depending upon weight it might not be possible with the gear down.
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 378
Normal gear retraction is as soon as a known, stabilized, rate of climb is achieved. For non pilots that typically confirmed prior to 50' AGL. With an engine failure, unless the plane is very light, the ability of an airliner to accelerate to get rid of flaps (reducing drag) is much tougher. Depending upon weight it might not be possible with the gear down.
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
Join Date: May 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 103
Normal gear retraction is as soon as a known, stabilized, rate of climb is achieved. For non pilots that typically confirmed prior to 50' AGL. With an engine failure, unless the plane is very light, the ability of an airliner to accelerate to get rid of flaps (reducing drag) is much tougher. Depending upon weight it might not be possible with the gear down.
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 5,998
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).

BTW I take it we think this is a series of surges, rather than a fire ( I think that's the point Compass Call is making).
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Been around the block
Posts: 617
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Been around the block
Posts: 617
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).[/QUOTE]
a large jet, isn’t at landing configuration at takeoff. It also is above landing weight if going far enough to change a few time zones or the weather. Thanks for your input cadet.
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denver
Age: 53
Posts: 82
In landing configuration, at a heavy weight right after takeoff, airliners don't have enough power to fly level. This was a training event that was introduced to demonstrate that at heavy weights (ie immediate return scenario), even at max power you'd be unable to hold level flight while in landing configuration while single engine. Rule of thumb "no gear down until you're going downhill" (ie descent patth without level offs).
a large jet, isn’t at landing configuration at takeoff. It also is above landing weight if going far enough to change a few time zones or the weather. Thanks for your input cadet.
I don't disagree with you, but I do think you might have misunderstood some of the original post. When he referred to being in the landing configuration after take off, I think he was referring to being on final after an immediate return due to an engine failure. At that point our procedure (A320) is to not extend the gear until we are on the slope, so he might have a point.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Esher, Surrey
Posts: 465
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: CEH2 (Black Diamond, Alberta)
Posts: 5,577
Yet again the media gets it wrong. Doesn’t the BBC have an Aviation Correspondent? The engine didn’t “explode” - it was a surge. Even the captain knew that - it was announced to the tower after the Mayday call.
See “PAL113 KLAX Engine Surge”:
http://www.liveatc.net/recordings.php
See “PAL113 KLAX Engine Surge”:
http://www.liveatc.net/recordings.php
Last edited by India Four Two; 22nd Nov 2019 at 22:22.
Paxing All Over The World
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hertfordshire, UK.
Age: 64
Posts: 9,376
Even before the Mayday call, someone sees the event and calls it out on air. Well handled by all crew on board and on the ground. Media score Zero. Again. My concern is that this constant bad reporting leaves the reader/viewer with the exact opposite of what has happened, leaving people fearful when everything went according to procedure.
It may well be that, with aircraft problems being 'flavour of the year' there is nothing to hold them back.
It may well be that, with aircraft problems being 'flavour of the year' there is nothing to hold them back.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Asia
Posts: 1,181
Flames were coming out of the tail pipe in short bursts which hardly counts as an engine on fire. Were the extinguishers even used or did the problem go away once the engine master was turned off and the fire button was pushed ?
The Philippines has only recently been upgraded to CAT 1 by the FAA and with the flight being ETOPS, PAL must be hoping the blame get pinned on the engine manufacture rather than their maintenance.
The Philippines has only recently been upgraded to CAT 1 by the FAA and with the flight being ETOPS, PAL must be hoping the blame get pinned on the engine manufacture rather than their maintenance.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Found in Toronto
Posts: 610
Flames were coming out of the tail pipe in short bursts which hardly counts as an engine on fire. Were the extinguishers even used or did the problem go away once the engine master was turned off and the fire button was pushed ?
The Philippines has only recently been upgraded to CAT 1 by the FAA and with the flight being ETOPS, PAL must be hoping the blame get pinned on the engine manufacture rather than their maintenance.
The Philippines has only recently been upgraded to CAT 1 by the FAA and with the flight being ETOPS, PAL must be hoping the blame get pinned on the engine manufacture rather than their maintenance.

Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Asia
Age: 59
Posts: 129
The Philippines was upgraded to Cat 1 in 2014. IASA is focussed on aviation safety oversight. The rating is not affected by a single carrier incident.