DAL9 LHR-ATL Returning to Heathrow
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK, sometimes USA
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DAL9 LHR-ATL Returning to Heathrow
This B767-400 made it to about 200 miles west of Land's End and is now returning to Heathrow. No big deal perhaps but does FL160 and a steady 240-250kt speed indicate an engine shutdown?
Just seems odd to be so low and slow from that far out.
Just seems odd to be so low and slow from that far out.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It could do, but I suspect not.
Looking at tracking sites, it appears that the return has been all flown at a lowish level.
In the event of an engine failure, normally one would expect the aircraft to descend to an optimum single engine level which may be at that level, but I would expect the speed to be higher than what you quote.
Furthermore, in a twin, an engine failure would se you landing at the nearest suitable airport, which from the turnback position would be somewhere like Bristol, and not London.
I tend to favour a pressurisation or window type of event, which could affect operating speed and level.
Time will tell!
Looking at tracking sites, it appears that the return has been all flown at a lowish level.
In the event of an engine failure, normally one would expect the aircraft to descend to an optimum single engine level which may be at that level, but I would expect the speed to be higher than what you quote.
Furthermore, in a twin, an engine failure would se you landing at the nearest suitable airport, which from the turnback position would be somewhere like Bristol, and not London.
I tend to favour a pressurisation or window type of event, which could affect operating speed and level.
Time will tell!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fuel dumping itself has no upper speed limit. From 200nm W of Lands End to LHR must be 45+ minutes, so I would doubt that time would be an issue in order to dump fuel. The B747 dumps at about 2 tonnes per minute, so from MTOW to MLW (about 110 tonnes) takes under an hour and I would imagine the B767 to better that.
Fuel dumping at FL130 would not be an issue, the fuel would dissipate in the atmosphere as long as the dumping was above 6000ft, Airsmiles.
Fuel dumping at FL130 would not be an issue, the fuel would dissipate in the atmosphere as long as the dumping was above 6000ft, Airsmiles.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK, sometimes USA
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it's a pressurization problem wouldn't FL160 be too high to return to LHR? I wondered about whether they suffered a cracked windscreen. This would mean the need to reduce pressure on it through a combination of speed and height?
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Arizona USA
Posts: 8,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wondered about whether they suffered a cracked windscreen. This would mean the need to reduce pressure on it through a combination of speed and height?
The L1011 is one such airplane.
