Virgin Atlantic Event

[flare and touchdown!]

It seems to have been hushed up from the media, that Virgin Atlantic Airways had to initiate a full emergency landing into Heathrow airport on Feb 21st, following a hydraulics failure aboard a new A340-600!!!

Plane landed with no flaps, safely, yet using most of the runway and coming down at no flaps speeds of 180kts +.

What happened there? Less of a worry if it was an older 744 or 343, but a new A340-600.

Got a picture of the emergency approach. http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/open.file?id=1186037&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N340-642&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Ivetva%20Ngynagvp%20Nvejnlf&QtODMg=Ybaqba%2 0-%20Urnguebj%20%28YUE%20%2F%20RTYY%29&ERDLTkt=HX%20-%20Ratynaq&ktODMp=Sroehnel%2021%2C%202007&BP=1&WNEb25u=Wnzrf %20Zrcfgrq&xsIERvdWdsY=T-ISBK&MgTUQtODMgKE=Rzretrapl%20Ynaqvat%2C%20ab%20syncf%20ynaq rq%20fnsryl&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=6628&NEb25uZWxs=2007-03-09%2003%3A02%3A29&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=449&static=yes&width=10 24&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28nveyvar%20YVXR%20%27Ivetva%2 0Ngynagvp%20Nvejnlf%25%27%20BE%20nveyvar%20YVXR%20%27Ivetva% 20Avtrevn%20Nvejnlf%20%28Ivetva%20Ngynagvp%20Nvejnlf%29%25%2 7%20BE%20nveyvar%20YVXR%20%27Znegvanve%20Ubyynaq%20%28Ivetva %20Ngynagvp%20Nvejnlf%29%25%27%29%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq %20QRFP&photo_nr=4&prev_id=1186201&next_id=1184524

Anyone know anything else?

Well done to pilots for avoiding what could have been a 'hairy' incident. No one was hurt on touchdown thankfully.

[Bearcat]

they had leading edges.....this is a big plus.

[Gonzo]

I don't think anyone's 'hushed it up from the media' at all.

We get these quite often, as would any major airport with a long runway.

Full Emergency response is standard with any hydraulic problems, our procedures make that mandatory.

[LongGoneSilva]

Are you sure of that date?

Seem to remember a Virgin aircraft making an emergency approach into HRW under identical cicumstances (slats only, min Vapp 180kts) approximately 6-8 weeks ago.

Sorry I can't be more specific about the date, though I am sure the incident I heard was not on Feb 21st.

Seems like quite a coincedance.

[Skipness One Echo]

Calm the fire in your pants there mister. You allege a consiracy which is just the sort of ignorant nonsense that gets us enthusiasts a reputation as ignorant anoracks. If you took that photo, then you will see it's broad daylight and landing at Heathrow which on the list of airports to hide things is probably waaaay down the end as it is monitored by so many people.
For the love of God, "Professional Aviator Lands Malfunctioning Aeroplane Safely - No One Killed - No Fire etc " ain't front page news. Go look up perspective in a dictionary and see if you can find some

[fmgc]

I think that the photographers comment says it all:

Emergency Landing, no flaps landed safely

No need to sensationalise it.

[411A]

So, what's the big deal?
Ha!
180 knots, so what?
I've done 195 knots in the 'ole Lockheed L10, with no flaps/slats.
Should not be a problem with any other aeroplane.
Mountain out of a molehill, apparently.

The crew consults the abnormal checklist...and lands.

What's the 'problem'?

Good grief.

[Mr @ Spotty M]

Yes a new A340-600, it so happens to be over 4 years old, so what is your point.
So do you say it should stay defect free, for over 4 years?
If any one knows any aircraft that meets this please let all the MDs or CEOs of the airlines know, l am sure the orders will rush in for Airbus, Boeing or who ever.

[411A]

Spotty M.

Performing sub-service for these folks some years ago, the very BEST dispatch folks...ever.
First rate.
Their gals weren't bad lookin' either.

A top-notch company from what I've experienced.

SUPERB!!

[BWBriscoe]

What kind of hydraulic failure was this?

[tired]

As someone else has said, G-VFOX is not a new aeroplane.

Actual landing distance on a dry runway for a -600 at max landing weight is 4100'. For a no flaps no slats landing factor that by 1.65, which gives landing distance required of 6800'. LHR's runway is 12000' long. What's the problem?

[Mungo Man]

Actual landing distance on a dry runway for a -600 at max landing weight is 4100'.

Wow, 4100ft = 1250m I'm amazed at that - always assumed big heavies woudl need lots more ground roll. My 145 needs 800m roll unfactored.

[Localiser Established]

"It's not even an 'emergency'."

I recall a C152/172 at Cranfield a few years back, made a mayday call because the flaps became inop during a circuit session. After a successfull landing, ATC asked if it was safe enough to taxi in, or if he needed to be towed.

[Basil]

Recollect that when VS had a real incident due wx some time ago, they disseminated the details to other interested airlines

[kontrolor]

btw, links to !!!!!!!!!!!!!! pictures can be much shorter

[tubby linton]

My company's 332 fleet went through a phase of flap problems a number of years ago.The problem was moisture in the grease of the flap jacks freezing after a long flight at very cold sat and then giving a stuck ecam.I think airbus were aware of this problem but I never did hear of any feedback.I have done this for real. A flap 1 approach was not a problem.The autopilot can be used down to 500 feet and speed on the 332 was about 155kts.We used about 6000ft of runway and the brakes didn't get very hot.

[BOAC]

F&T - I have re-instated your post (and taken out some of the chaff) . It upset a sensitive 'Virgin' which is why the title was changed - and I hope the new one is better.

I hope you have learnt a little about how to post your query on PPrune and a little more about aircraft operation. NB the way to post shorter links too.

You may not realise it, but a 'full scale emergency' probably refers to the ATC classification of the event and not to the flight crew's reaction. You can read all about ATC 'reaction states' on PPrune too.

[haughtney1]

A sensitive "Virgin" got upset?..... I would have thought the sensitive "Virgin" would only be upset if there was something wrong with a Seattle built flying machine

[cfwake]

i sincerely hope i'm not the virgin inquestion!