Report by Delta Captain Landing Tokyo Diring Earthquake

[RobertS975]

The massive amount of diverting traffic as both NRT and HND closed to incoming traffic, local AFBs unable to accept diversions, and eventually the need to declare emergencies to get a clearance to a suitable runway, in this case Chitose.

Written by a Delta pilot on approach to Tokyo during earthquake : reddit.com

[pattern_is_full]

My understanding is that military fields around Tokyo eventually opened their runways to commercial flights - but eventually can be a long time if one is about to go min. fuel.

An interesting read - I was just looking at some Tech Log threads on definitions and calculations of reserve fuel, minimum fuel, when to call "PAN" or "MAYDAY" and such last night. This article was a perfect example of how they play out in the real world (I'll assume "real," for the moment.)

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I saw it a few days back. It was attributed to an American Airlines pilot..

[411A]

It was attributed to an American Airlines pilot..

Yes, a 767 AA pilot....next it'll be a PanAm guy.

[lomapaseo]

Well, if you just swap 'American' for 'Delta', it doesn't work as a story

Quite right, the news is flat so it needs to be pumped up into a story

[aviatorhi]

Pardon me if I have a hard time believing this, but I saw the same sort of "story" over 2 and a half years ago which had United as the airline and a below minimums approach as the punch line.

The writing and style are very reminiscent of that one (right down to the Top Gun quote).

[Sqwak7700]

I like how he refers to the 767 as a "big plane". In Japan, a 767 is a tiny regional jet. Most airports can handle 777s and 744Ds, I'm sure they'll be able to handle a "massive" 767. Just about every airport has 8000ft-plus runways.

Now as far as having customs, that is a different story.

[Eboy]

I call fake. Pilots don't write like that.

[hellsbrink]

I call fake too. Delta schedules are saying they fly Airbus to Narita and not a 767.

[BOAC]

This is total trivia and should be in 'Spotters' or JB. Does anyone really care?

[falcon10]

Delta was using a 767 to/from Seattle last year. Now I think it goes to KIX, but SFO & PDX are 76s. Either way, this guy sounds like a tool in "his" 767!

[dusk2dawn]

...writing from my room in the Narita crew hotel.

...landed Chitose....

... and then he drove from Chitose to Narita?

[ZimmerFly]

I still had enough fuel for 1.5 to 2.0 hours of holding. Needless to say, the diverts started complicating the situation.

After a Trans Pacific Westbound flight? .......Dream on...... Only Flight Simmers can afford that sort of fuel.

[PappyJ]

Northwest Airlines, oops, ummm, I mean Delta, flies an A330 from SEA to NRT. And, a 767 IS a regional jet in Japan...and a few other places.