Avion Express A320 off-piste at Vilnius
 

No need to wait for that tug to pull you out of the mud when you have Joe Patroni in the LH seat:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....5188fab26d.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ea7f2e448f.jpg

Is that an actual photo of this ? No spoilers up on the starboard wing...............or maybe just not visible on the dark side of that photo.

But they veered right ?

If you zoom in you can see the spoilers are up on that wing, starting just outboard of the outer flap fairing working back towards the engine. It matches the other wing. I think it’s just the cloud of dirt and dust creating an illusion.

From the photo, one possible explanation is that a cat was at the controls and was distracted by the opportunity to chase the large bird visible in the foreground.

Tea no biscuit session with the chief pilot?

ATC, weather info and video:

huge yaw at 1:20... almost going sideways

Awesome airmanship and safety culture.
I think the crew should be awarded for "avoiding the terminal and saving 500 lives".

There is an interesting thread elsewhere on this fine website detailing their terms and conditions and general operation. Make up your mind as to whether this is a career airline. Could be just bad luck.....

Avion Express LY- flying with their callsign outfit Nordvind.
Avion Express Malta 9H- are callsign South Wind

This LY- aircraft sustained substantial damage to the underside of the centre fuselage and wing flaps.


Avion have been operating in the UK for many years flying ACMI summer work for TUI, BA Euro, Easyjet and previously for Thomas Cook Airlines UK, Monarch?, and Titan.

I cannot like this comment more, proper belly laugh.
Thanks muchly!

OB

Wondering if there will be any reaction at all from Lithuanian aviation authorities. Or maybe it will just get reregistered in Malta and all is good!

Pay2Fly at its finest

SLF here, but question to the experts: after having experienced such a substantial detour through unpaved area, throwing up mud and whatever - would you continue at your own power? I'd be worried about any ingested mud, gravel, ice etc and rather shut down the engines? Furthermore I'd be worried about any damage to other aircraft parts, landing gear, hydraulics that might have a substantial impact on the ability of controlling the aircraft whilst taxyiing and / or increase the damage to the aircraft by taxiing to the stand?

Yes… especially engines could be damaged. Possibly with a fire outcome.

A picture on the aviation herald shows clear damage to the underside. It seems to be to the wing-body fairing, so at least not primary structure: https://avherald.com/h?article=5147d9d5&opt=0

I would think the dirt going through the engines will be way more expensive.

video of the off-road trip. Remarkable landing gear side load performance:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1754107432865800319

Nice drift…must be a rally driver.

Should've kept the right pedal in, would've been close to making that middle taxiway.

If Avherald is to be believed, the aircraft dropped 1200 feet in 2 seconds:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....1b73626166.jpg

I suspect not.