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Qantas A380 crew honoured
The Crew of Flt QF032 (Airbus 380 VH-OQA) has been awarded the prestigious Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN).
Awarded to 'a member or members of a crew whose outstanding behaviour and action contributed to the saving of their aircraft or passengers.' http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...asA380crew.jpgCitation: Shortly after takeoff on 4 November 2010 from Singapore Changi Airport at about 7,000 feet, a loud bang was heard in the cockpit of Flight QF032, followed by indications of a failure to the No 2 engine. It was subsequently discovered that the RR Trent 900 engine’s IP turbine hub had broken into several large pieces which caused significant damage to the wing and to a number of systems of the A380 aircraft. Minor injuries occurred to some people on Batam Island in Indonesia as debris from the aircraft rained down. The Captain, Richard de Crespigny, held the aircraft at 7,000 feet. It soon became apparent that auto thrust had failed. Indications of No 2 engine overheat, and subsequently of fire, were dealt with but there was no confirmation that the fire extinguisher had discharged. After discharging the second fire extinguisher without confirmation, the engine fire warning was replaced by an overheat warning. A PAN call was made. The Captain placed the aircraft in a holding pattern close to the airport while First Officer Mathew Hicks, dealt with more than 50 messages on the aircraft’s systems monitoring and alert system. The list was considerable: The No 2 Engine display showed a ‘failed’ mode, while engines 1 and 4 were in ‘degraded’ mode The green hydraulic system indicated low pressure and low quantity and the yellow hydraulic system indicated engine 4 pump cautions AC 1 and 2 electrical bus system indicated failure Flight controls were in ‘alternate law’ Wing slats were inoperative, spoiler control was reduced and aileron control was partial There were numerous warnings for landing gear control and brake systems Autothrust and autoland were inoperative Error messages for engine anti-ice and air data sensor were displayed Multiple fuel systems errors including fuel jettison fault and centre of gravity messages were displayed No 1 engine generator was disconnected Left wing pneumatic system was leaking Avionics system overheat warning was displayed S/O Mark Johnson, went to the cabin and saw that the fin camera display showed a significant fuel leak from the left wing. As the fuel dump and transfer systems were unserviceable, the aircraft was moving towards both longitudinal and lateral out of balance. The Captain decided to land 50 tonnes overweight while the aircraft was still within the C/G limits. After computing several options with different configurations, a landing calculation was found that would permit a landing on runway 20C with a 100m margin. F/O Mathew Hicks handled an unprecedented array of failures in an aircraft with great systems complexity. S/O Mark Johnson established voice communications with Qantas engineers in Sydney through a mobile phone after failure of the aircraft’s satellite voice link. Training Captain David Evans and Captain Harry Wubben, who was undergoing training as a Training Captain, made valuable contributions including visual inspections from the aircraft cabin, communication with cabin crew and passengers and assisting with calculation of overweight landing performance with the damage to multiple systems. After controllability checks, the Captain commenced a 20nm final approach to runway 20C with the No 4 engine set to the same thrust as the No 1 engine while using only the No 3 engine for thrust control. After the autopilot disconnected twice, the Captain flew the approach manually from 1,000 feet. After touchdown, full reverse thrust was applied to No 3 engine, however, maximum braking could not be applied until the nose wheel had touched the ground. The landing run was completed about 150m from the end of the runway. After completing shut down checks, the crew were informed by the fire crew that the No 1 engine was still running, even though there was no instrument indication of the engine running. Despite numerous efforts, it proved impossible to shut down the engine by normal means. The fire services were then requested to drown the engine. All the passengers were then disembarked without injury. For their safe handling of an unprecedented set of failures, sound decision making in an extremely complex emergency and superb handling of an aircraft in extreme circumstances, saving the lives of all on board, the crew of Flt QF032 are awarded the Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award. The Award was presented by the Master of the Guild, Captain O W 'Wally' Epton, and the guest of honour, Maj. Gen. David J. Scott, Director Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, HQ USAF Europe at the Guild's annual Trophies & Awards Banquet held at London's Guildhall last Thursday evening. GAPAN - The Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators Australia Region, Hong Kong Region, New Zealand Region, North America Region Some other awards: The citations are worth reading. :ok: |
Good on them!:ok:
Pity they have been grounded by their management!:( A small Irish village is missing an idiot!:* |
Assuming they flew as pax to London via Qantas, they're also probably stuck in the UK.
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Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do??
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Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? |
Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? Some readers might be forgiven for thinking you're indulging in that age-old and hugely ingrained Australian trait of "tall poppy syndrome". Credit where credit's due - in this particular case, this paricular crew brought the badly degraded aircraft back in one piece where many of their colleagues, even those in Qantas, quite possibly would not have. |
Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? |
Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? where many of their colleagues, even those in Qantas, quite possibly would not have. |
CDRW
Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? They crew did their job in exceptionally challenging circumstances and succeeded in bringing the stricken aircraft back without loss of life. The Award is to 'a member or members of a crew whose outstanding behaviour and action contributed to the saving of their aircraft or passengers.' Judging by the enthusiastic and sustained applause when the crew collected their Award, the 600+ people present (mainly professional pilots - commercial and military) clearly thought they fully deserved it. Tudor Owen Warden, Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators |
Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? Although the citation acknowledges the challenges they faced and successfully dealt with, I suggest you read Captain David Evans' cool but very detailed description of HOW these guys dealt with this extremely hazardous and unprecedented situation. It is here: Roger-Wilco | Royal Aeronautical Society interview with Captain David Evans of Qantas I am in awe of the way they calmly and successfully did their jobs that day. I admire their prowess and I expect this will go down in aviation history as an example of brilliant airmanship by these three primary crew who were ably assisted by the two training captains who were observing them. It will be on a par with the Sioux City DC10, Hudson River A320 but because nobody got any injury it fell from the headines very quickly. :DFrom me it's just ...RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT. Well done guys. You earned a full lifetime worth of pay that day. :D |
crewmeal, you're being a bit precious. Face it - that crew did a really exceptional job, and I can assure you that quite a few flying the A380 (certainly in my old airline, one of the largest A380 operators) - and even some (gasp! heart be still!) Qantas pilots - would not have done as good a job. As an ex-sim. instructor who has seen many crews struggle, even flounder attempting far less demanding emergencies than that crew had to handle in the real world, I believe you're being unrealistic to say otherwise.
May I join others in saying "well done" to all members of that crew and for being recognised by their peers for doing a truly exceptional job in a situation I'm very glad I was never called upon to deal with in my 42 years of professional flying. |
My personal view is that this is a richly deserved award to the Flight Crew on that day,a day when things could have had a very different outcome.
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You are joking? Where I am, this story just seemed to run and run for six months. I was referring to the general "Joe Public" man or woman in the street. Just try asking any non aviation people how much they know of the near disaster on a Qantas A380 last November, and then ask them about the Hudson River landing. Where I live, they all seem very aware of one but not of the other, that's all I was saying. :DThe important point is my respect for the excellence of these guys.:D |
Well done to QF032, there was a large element of training and perception but there will also be a huge slice of luck
Other end of the stick would be AF447 where with the same training, perception failed and they did not have the luck Bring back a wounded bird and the crew deserve all the accolades going As SLF I want these guys doing the job:D |
"Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do??"
Surely this is an excellent opportunity for the profession to generate some wonderful PR on behalf of recruiting, training, paying the good guys what they are really worth; not decrying that this was just a normal day at the office, and what all pax should expect as the norm? Indeed it should be the norm, but sadly, as the profession is on a slippery slope it soon won't be. I can imagine that this could easily have ended up a smoking hole on another day in another place. What I want to see is that this result, in any a/c, is 99% of what happens anywhere, anytime. Sadly I'll have to dream on. |
Kiltrash, there was no luck it was professionalism that carried the day.
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CDRW - Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? Well done to these guys. 100% Pro's. BTW how is the "old" bird, has her wing healed yet in Singapore ?. Lid |
Well done
Just out of interest I was trying to track down the history of this award and who was Hugh Gordon-Burge? I've hunted the Interweb and found very little about him.
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This fine example of outstanding airmanship together with two others here.
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Brief death notice for Gordon-Burge
This is a terse notice, but provides some information:
QUOTE H. K. Gordon-Burge -- We record with regret the death on February 3 [1974] of Hugh Gordon-Burge. Air Safety Adviser to the European Division of British Airways and twice chairman of the United Kingdom Air safety Committee. Mr Gordon-Burge was a senior captain with Aer Lingus from 1946-55, after which he joined the Accident Investigation Branch of what is now the Department of Trade and Industry. he joined British European Airways in 1965. ENDQUOTE Source: air france | concorde | 1974 | 0289 | Flight Archive I would provide a citation, but having troubles navigating the interface. |
Before joining Aer Lingus in 1946, Gordon-Burge was an RAF Coastal Command pilot in WW2.
Basil The two citations in your link are well worth reading. Truly outstanding courage and devotion to duty. :ok: |
CDRW
Sorry CDRW, obvious troll is obvious.:ugh:
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flying lid
You asked: BTW how is the "old" bird, has her wing healed yet in Singapore ?. |
As a PAX, if I had a choice, I'd rather an alternate airframe! (but with the same crew :D ).
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Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? |
CDRW - Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do?? Any emergency well dealt with which were out of what someone has been trained for is a great overcome lead by great pilots. I`m happy that their task had been recognized . |
Hugh Gordon-Burge Memorial Award by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators
Probable winners this year are a Polish air crew from LOT !! (Well done today) |
Very well deserved recognition of airmanship and teamwork of the highest order.
The trolls would do well to stay their malicous comments. |
There is also a very interesting documentary on youtube
Special - Qantas QF32 - A380 Uncontained Engine Failure (1 of 4) - YouTube |
"CDRW - Surely they where just doing what they are paid ( rather handsomely) to do??"
I can't believe you posted that comment. So what if they are well paid, if possible I prefer to fly where the people up the front have some experience and as has been proved a number of times recently (Sully plus 2 x Qantas), a bit of experience and coolness under pressure has helped. That way, as a passenger I get to leave the aircraft the same way I got on it, via the terminal. .:ugh: |
Qantas is known to value and respect airmanship in its pilots.Along with SWA,they remain a beacon of hope in an industry thats drowning in rote flying,automation-reliance and SOP-mania.
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Please forgive me for adding my few penn'orth, professionals, as I am a 1000hr+ private pilot - albeit an old one!
But am I right in discerning here a similarity between the Australian pilots, the Poles who brought the LOT 767 to a textbook "forced" landing and others such as Sullenburger. Three excellent outcomes to emergencies and ALL were expert "handfliers" who had spent a great deal of time without automatics. I know it relates to other threads but.... Just seeing a relationship.... rgsaero |
rgsaero
The other common aspect of all 3 was that they were all ex military pilots. (By all 3 I mean Sully and the 2 Qantas incidents). I wonder how much that has to do with being able to handle things under pressure and very high work load ? . |
Good on them! Pity they have been grounded by their management! A small Irish village is missing an idiot! Not as big an idiot as your village obviously. |
rgsaero The other common aspect of all 3 was that they were all ex military pilots. (By all 3 I mean Sully and the 2 Qantas incidents). I wonder how much that has to do with being able to handle things under pressure and very high work load ? I've heard off the record that a civilian trained co-pilot was quite guiding in one of the incidents. And don't get me started on Eastern European ex-mil! The military can provide superb pilots in a civilian world. But not always. Sadly, with the way training has gone, previously considered average ex-mil guy will stand out in some of the civilian outfits getting away with not investing in pilot training. |
The photo by the OP that starts the thread shows that - two men are used to wearing bow ties and three men are NOT used to wearing bow ties. ;)
Reading the citation is breathtaking. Another reason for ALL that fly (or are flown) to be grateful to this crew is that, by getting back in one piece it was possible to quickly discover what went wrong and thus keep everyone else safe. If the a/c had pranged and one (or more) of the FC lost - it might have taken years to discover why. (It is apparent that 'CDRW' is a Troll.) |
Having spent my life in aviation keeping heavies serviceable ,all I can say after reading through that report from the RAS interview is that the crew demand the utmost respect for handling the situation the way they did.By there own admission,they could not simulate it on the ground,to me that shows what tremendous airmanship prevailed on the flight deck that day.Agreed,they had perhaps more than a normal flight crew contingent but that does nothing to alter the fact of how they coped.Apart from engine failures,an enormous amount of ECAM messages,alternate law in abundance,hydraulic fluid loss, fuel loss,spurious indications,an aircraft in serious danger of going out of trim, busbar loss and to cap it all,an APU whose generators would not come on-line ....you could not script such a spectacular sequence of failures.They all deserve all the credit there is. No doubt this one will be spoken about for years to come.
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An instructor once told me how pilots are, in fact, overpaid - live mostly good lives, do what they love, and it all comes relatively easy. But they get one flight where what they do makes their job perks pay off. These boys earned their crust for their entire career that day!
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I have just read the citations for the two other awards given that night. There are no words to describe the remarkable strength, physical and mental, shown by those involved. Read them, in addition to the subject of this thread, and be uplifted that our species can do these things - and at a moment's notice.
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Good on these QF pilots. Bravo, good job and many happy landings.
Having said that, let me say that there are many many other unsung heroes/heroines who saved aircrafts from harm with their pro-active actions pre - empting any big drama. I remembered in another life as a training captain in SEAsia, I was conducting line training for a 744 F/O newly upgraded to trainee captain on the B734. We had a great, uneventful flight to BKK. However departing from BKK as we were cleared for immediate takeoff, with yours truly running through the final before takeoff checks, the trainee captain spooled up the engines once the checklist was comleted. I looked into the skies ahead as we began to roll down the long clear runway feeling really wonderful that we were taking off into the clear skies on the way home for a well earned rest. Suddenly the trainee called " abort " and went through the whole jing bang rejected take off thingy. I must said that I was taken by surprise; " what the hell??? " before I recovered, announced to BKK tower that we were rejecting. As I looked in askance at my trainee on the left, I saw a huge dense flock of birds ( later learnt that they were starlings ) from the left moving across the top of the golf course lying between the 2 runways. No need for any questions; we requested for the first exit on the right, alerted ATC ( who were none the wiser ). To cut a long story short, I could not have scanned the skies to the left that well but as we hit TOGA, the trainee had spied the flock of birds making the way across towards our runway. It was an excellent call for the trainee to reject the take off. As we went through our after landing checks, PAs and further clearances we heard a landing aircraft on the left adjacent runway reporting multiple bird strikes! Holy smoke, we could have been the predecesor of USAir 1549 taking a drink in the Chao Phraya! Unfortunately my trainee captain pre-empted any chance of us making the headlines or a stab at notoriety! Thank heavens for that! |
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