Well said G SXTY,

I have been amazed by some of the comments here. Obviously some of the people posting about this incident have NO idea what happens on the flight deck during an emergency.:ugh:

Smoke in the flight deck / cabin. Oxygen mask on and get down ASAP!! Sod the people that maybe diverted or delayed. Their lives are not in danger at that moment in time!

Think of the Swissair MD11 in canada.

I never fancy being in that situation and would do exactly what they did yesterday.

If you have nothing sensible to say then bu:mad:er off.

CC99

Headcorn! Pah!

Try Old Hay!

*sarcasm off*

Quite frankly this incident just goes to show why I will continue to happily fly with Flybe. Professionally handled with safety the number one priority. I despair of those of you who feel you would rather put the commercial considerations of other airlines ahead of the safety of your passengers, fellow crew and ultimately, yourselves.

I'm half way through my fATPL at the moment so no real experience yet but I would hope that safety before cost would be soemthing we all accept is a given.

I believe that Gatwick Airport Authority once used a form of words to "discourage" traffic with an emergency from landing at LGW due to the potential subsequent disruption. I think the Virgin? captain decided to decline their request to divert elsewhere. Hydraulic problem?

What are the "rules" for their emergency runway to be opened for trade?:)

That happened at Heathrow, not Gatwick.

The "emergency" runway is not just used for emergencies. It is used when repair work is being done on the main runway or if the main runway becomes blocked for any reason. It is used quite frequently.

I think you'll find that was the 1997 accident at Heathrow. I remember reading something to that effect in the AAIB report.

It has happened at Gatwick but not that often. I personally discouraged a landing at Gatwick and the aircraft chose to go to Stansted as a result. However I feel very uncomfortable having to do that and have refused on occasions, its all about the nature of the emergency and how panicy the initial distress call is.....

How safe is airplane air?
 

How Safe Is Airplane Air? | NBC Los Angeles

Contaminated cabin air is the subject of several court cases in the US at the moment.

The lawyers / victims wouldn't go to court unless they were sure of their facts - whilst the airlines claim breathing toxic oil fumes in a confined space is not dangerous.

Both sides can't be right....

DB :ok:

Not quite true - The airport authority at Gatwick can request us in ATC to pass a request to aircraft to consider an alternate to avoid disruption, BUT they will not do so if the aircraft has already declared an emergency. If such a request reaches us in ATC after an emergency has been declared, we just advise the airport authority that we can't pass the request on. No drama - if you've declared an emergency you won't (or shouldn't) be asked to consider going anywhere else.

I guess the real issue is the over stretched UK aerodromes. ATC perform oh so well considering the traffic levels at LHR and LGW. A second wide spaced runway at LGW would do for starters!

;)

I must be missing a crucial document in the aircraft library. You know, the one that the nay-sayers must be using to identify medical facilities close to airports so that they can make a more informed decision about where to divert. :rolleyes:

You'll find it in the side pocket of the comfy armchair. :ok:

For those who wonder, years back I completed a fire training course at Manchester airports fire station, one of the instructors was unfortunate enough to have been on duty the day of the fateful 737 fire at MAN. His advice and there prefered procedure was if you had any incling you had smoke or fire on board park it in the centre of the runway and position for wind! It makes access for the fire service easier and quicker. Plus doesnt really matter if you park it in the grass the airport will still close due to the reduced fire capacity due to the assets in use dealing with you anyway!

For the record If I was faced with the problem these guys had if LHR was the nearest suitable strech of tar thats where I would go regardless! I couldnt care less how much disruption it caused everyone would be alive!

If the crew in question are reading this, as a colleague I want to say well done! Everyone got on the ground safe, I know how stressful the situation was but good on you well handled hope you were well looked after!

Well said RED WINGS


I was working at the Airport the day of the dreaded 737 Its a day Ill never forget.

As u say it does not matter how many aircrfat divert to other Airports
the Crew and Pax are 1st Prioity and the crew should land at what they know is the nearest airport


Bollxxcks to the people as I said prviously they missed the theatre oh how sad

There will be another performance I am sure but at least all ended well
and everbody was safe.

You could close all the airports in the UK as long as it saves lives


WELL DONE BE CREW

Hostie 89, I think you will see I said the crew, meaning flight and cabin crew ;)

I to would be interested in more detail but would prefer to wait till either I see the said crew or the results of the investigation. Fact is better than BS theory on here or worst still the news!!!

Whilst I was annoyed at sitting in an aircraft at Bournemouth for around 3 hours waiting for my plane to get a slot to take off again to get to Gatwick, and finally arriving 5 hours after taking off from Amsterdam, I completely understand the reasons for the delay. The BA captain was superb and spoke to all the passengers, fully explaining the reasons and the options available.
My only suggestion to improve matters would have been to let passengers leave the aircraft and stretch their legs outside which I understand is prohibited by customs and immigration?

Another Flybe Cardiff inbound from CDG diverted yesterday, this time to Exeter. Does anyone know anything about this one? Same airframe or just precautionary given the earlier incident?

Cheers

Ginger ;)

Yesterday's divert was thanks to a pretty hefty lightning strike I believe.

I'm intrigued how you envisage it could be 'precautionary' as a result of the previous incident? Are you under the impression that every flybe CWL flight will now divert because one had an emergency whilst operating that route recently? If so that's actually the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard :ugh:

That was worded badly, I meant to ask if they'd experienced something similar but not as severe which led to them landing to sort it out. Coincidence should have been a far more obvious conclusion to draw.

I think a terse reply was well deserved for that one.

is there any prelim of the cause of the smoke on the LGW diversion yet?
thanks