Pilot tows A-340 to safety
 

In the middle of the mayhem in Colombo the other one brave (foolhardy) pilot saved an A-340 on his own initiative.

When the attack started this gentleman, who is a senior Training captain I believe, was at the airport. Realizing that the aircraft were in danger, he along with a mechanic, hooked up a 340 and towed it away to a nearby hangar. All this while bullets were flying around.

They hoped to save some more, but the three remaining aircraft were already destroyed by the time they reached the relative safety of the hangar.

Full details are to be confirmed, but if this is true, the man deserves a medal. Not to mention a fat cheque for saving a 100 million dollars.

What about the mechanic, doesnt he deserve anything??.

as usual - pilots a hero the mechanic gets forgotten (an im sure the driver hadnt a clue how to hook upa towbar an a tug if he tried...)

ahhhwell i guess one day we wont be mushrooms forever ......

Okay, so they bothdeserve medals!

I'm told the person who initiated the deed was the captain in question. Can't see too many guys on this forum (myself included) trying a stunt like that though.

411A - you must have known the guy, think of the craziest (and best) pilot down there.

In the crazy world of the airlines, both of them will probably be fired.

Yeah, they saved the aircraft, but had the aircraft been destoyed, the insurance company would have delivered a shiny new aircraft to the line.

So the company's point of view is that they are probably out 100 million dollars. Losing an aircraft with nobody onboard to a terrorist act or act of war is probably a good thing. No liability/negligence...

But it would certainly make a good scene in a movie

Cheers
Wino

Since exactly when has Harrison Ford got his ATPL ?

Cheers
:)

Hate to spoil your afternoon teas, but in most insurance policies there is a "force majeur" clause which excludes the company from paying in the case of war, terrorist activities and such, etc. etc. etc. Being in Sri Lanka, if I was an insurance company, I would put every clause possible in their policy.

Has anyone got a link to any photos après le damage? Cannot find any on the BBC News.

Check out these pics from Yahoo.
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/...&c=news_photos

For E MORSE: I do not know whether Mr. Ford has an ATP but I do know he has at least a private, multiengine, and helo.

As far as the insurance goes, each policy is different but you are right that most exclude acts of war or revolution. Anybody from Lloyds on here to explain?

Being personally aquainted with Mr. Ford, I can confirm that he has all the above ratings AND an ATPL.

Dunno if the insurance is at Lloyd's, but I am pretty certain that wherever it was placed, a war and civil war exclusion clause would be prominently attached (if insured in the west). I am sure even the Russians have been very aware of the rebels and civil war.

Insurrection, rebellion, riot and vandalism etc may also be excluded. I would be interested to hear just what happens - were the aircraft owned outright, or by lease?

Whoever actually owns them, may be out a few bucks!

Just had a second thought (better lie down in a minute). It is possible that a separate war coverage was in place. Bet it would be expensive though - but if there is a lease agreement for the a/c then it may be a stipulation of the contract to have full coverage.

Anybody have any info?

I believe they were insured and in UK.

Its one thing to operate in a war zone but its bit different when you are based there !!!
As someone has said it would be a leasing requirement and pretty expensive!

I can't believe this guy risked his life and that of a mechanic to save a hunk of aluminum. Bravery is something to be taken completely in context. What may be brave in one situation may be considered foolish or downright criminal in another. Screw the company's airplane, they can buy a new one and bill me. I'd have dug a hole so deep they'd still be looking for me.
:D

[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Brad737 ]

About insurace coverage...

On last issue FI, pag 10....Peter Hill, Srilankan CEO "Srilankan is optimistic that its insurers will cover at least some of the damage and replacement cost. The aircraft are fully insured for replacement. In a week or two´s time they´ll be in a better position to give an answer. Peter Hill believes they´ll be well covered".
The bill is about $500 million making it one of the biggest losses for years.


Regds
CM

Ok Kubota , well , give him my regards will you ?

Cheers

If it was a ship saved by being towed to safety the person who rescues it gets a substantial sum for salvage. Wonder if these guys have a case for it ? A good percentage of an A 340 would start to get me out of a foxhole for sure!!

Many get-outs for the insurance companies so it is normal for seperate policy for war risk.
Its the operator who pays the insurance but it must meet lease company's requirements.

Bigger cajones than me that's for sure...the man shows dedication to his employer,(let's see if they repay in kind).. and fellow employees, as loss of additional aircraft might render more of his fellow pilots jobless...would have been more concerned with getting home to wifey and the kids myself...but hey..good on him...Brad 737...why don't you dig the hole then.and jump in....we won't look for you promise...