Sully-Hudson-and FEW safety changes
Multi engine loss bird strike
From the Flight Magazine Archives September 1963.
"Very little publicity was given to the BEA Vanguard G-APAT incident at Edinburgh Airport on September 11, 1962, when, during take-off at night, the aircraft flew through a flock of gulls. The circumstances of this serious incident are related for the first time in the Survey of Accidents for 1962 just published by the Ministry (see page 496).
There was low cloud and heavy rain and large numbers of birds struck the aircraft and forward vision was obliterated. No 4 engine failed almost immediately and the other three engines were also affected. The climb was continued on the-power available in order to position the aircraft for an ILS approach. At 3,800ft No 2 engine failed and the propeller was feathered.
The No 3 engine also became critical and preparations were made for an emergency landing, but after an ILS approach a successful landing was made back on runway 13. When the aircraft returned to the apron 30 minutes after departure it was found to be severely damaged and oil coolers and engine cowlings were seen to be almost blocked with dead birds. There were no injuries among the 68 passengers and eight crew, though obviously this could have been a disaster as grievous as that which befell the Eastern Electra which struck and ingested birds after taking off from Boston on October 4, 1960."
I had just started my CPL training when this item appeared, and it impressed on us that birds could be a serious hazard! I seem to recall that the pilot was Dennis Clifton and he was subsequently recognised with a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
"Very little publicity was given to the BEA Vanguard G-APAT incident at Edinburgh Airport on September 11, 1962, when, during take-off at night, the aircraft flew through a flock of gulls. The circumstances of this serious incident are related for the first time in the Survey of Accidents for 1962 just published by the Ministry (see page 496).
There was low cloud and heavy rain and large numbers of birds struck the aircraft and forward vision was obliterated. No 4 engine failed almost immediately and the other three engines were also affected. The climb was continued on the-power available in order to position the aircraft for an ILS approach. At 3,800ft No 2 engine failed and the propeller was feathered.
The No 3 engine also became critical and preparations were made for an emergency landing, but after an ILS approach a successful landing was made back on runway 13. When the aircraft returned to the apron 30 minutes after departure it was found to be severely damaged and oil coolers and engine cowlings were seen to be almost blocked with dead birds. There were no injuries among the 68 passengers and eight crew, though obviously this could have been a disaster as grievous as that which befell the Eastern Electra which struck and ingested birds after taking off from Boston on October 4, 1960."
I had just started my CPL training when this item appeared, and it impressed on us that birds could be a serious hazard! I seem to recall that the pilot was Dennis Clifton and he was subsequently recognised with a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.
