AF66 CDG-LAX diverts - uncontained engine failure over Atlantic
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The point is that there was no point in allowing the pax off: where were they going to go? An ill-equipped (for that number) terminal building? Onboard they were warm, dry, fed and watered (&c.).
AvHerald says the accident aircraft landed at 15:41Z; passengers were kept on board of the aircraft until arrival of the replacement aircraft because the airport does not have stairs to accomodate the A380; AF's 777 arrived to pick them up at 05:50Z and departed at 09:55Z (and a 737 for the rest of the pax somewhat later).
Incident: France A388 over Greenland on Sep 30th 2017, fan and engine inlet separated
If that's accurate, pax were on board the A380 at Goose for between 14 and 18 hours. No explanation of how they got off the A380 if the airport doesn't have stairs for it; I suppose the airport improvised something. Anyway, as others commented up-thread, (a) the airport probably couldn't accommodate over 500 pax and crew; (b) if they'd got off, rules (aka bureaucracy) might have required them to be processed by Canada immigration, which would have taken forever.
I haven't seen any complaints from pax, so I guess they were kept comfortable enough, and if they'd seen the engine, glad to be on the ground.
I suppose the airport was able to provide ground power and/or refuel the APU - or would there have been enough fuel on board to run the APU for that long? And ... I wonder if the airport was able to provide food and water .. and if they were able to clean the toilets during the wait ...
Incident: France A388 over Greenland on Sep 30th 2017, fan and engine inlet separated
If that's accurate, pax were on board the A380 at Goose for between 14 and 18 hours. No explanation of how they got off the A380 if the airport doesn't have stairs for it; I suppose the airport improvised something. Anyway, as others commented up-thread, (a) the airport probably couldn't accommodate over 500 pax and crew; (b) if they'd got off, rules (aka bureaucracy) might have required them to be processed by Canada immigration, which would have taken forever.
I haven't seen any complaints from pax, so I guess they were kept comfortable enough, and if they'd seen the engine, glad to be on the ground.
I suppose the airport was able to provide ground power and/or refuel the APU - or would there have been enough fuel on board to run the APU for that long? And ... I wonder if the airport was able to provide food and water .. and if they were able to clean the toilets during the wait ...
Last edited by rog747; 8th Oct 2017 at 15:36.
The account of no compatible steps or access does seem to be a nonsense - what happens if you divert there with a medical emergency ? Sling the patient down the slides ?
Question: after a diversion to a remote field without facilities, such as this one, or the Swiss 777 at Iqaluit earlier this year, what happens to hold baggage? Is it always transferred to the aircraft that evacuates the pax, or does it sometimes wait until the airline flies in baggage-shifting equipment, or even until the failed aircraft is repaired and flown out? If the latter, that's quite an incentive to carry on as much as you can ...
Stairs were not the issue
https://twitter.com/DanMcneely/statu...460224/photo/1
https://twitter.com/DanMcneely/statu...460224/photo/1
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I do believe it was nonsense. Saw a photo of passengers deplaning stairs to board recovery aircraft once they arrived. Apologize but was unable to find the photo to include while searching today.
Video found.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=aOtvuA6iKBg
Video found.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=aOtvuA6iKBg
Last edited by number0009; 8th Oct 2017 at 17:44.
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Logistically, much easier to keep them on the plane. Deplaning would cause far more issues than it solves. The lower doors are virtually the same as most other commercial aircraft, so there are stair options, just not efficient ones. As shown, one set of stairs to offload...
Half of the A380 flights I have taken into Dubai deplane using stairs. It just takes a looooong time.
I am certain Customs is also a consideration.
Half of the A380 flights I have taken into Dubai deplane using stairs. It just takes a looooong time.
I am certain Customs is also a consideration.
I'm sure it was, for the airport authorities. Aircraft toilets filled up and went inoperable ? Tough, not our problem. Pax stuck in the Y seats for 24 hours, some with lap infants ? Tough, not our problem. No immigration facilities ? Yeah, right, aircraft chock-full of illegal immigrants who were inadmissible to Canada (despite all being TSA checked before departure for a US arrival) and who were obviously going to spirit off with their accomplices waiting outside Goose Bay terminal across the Canadian tundra, spreading mayhem as they went ...
It is GOOSE BAY, they CANNOT leave the airport except by plane—where’s the immigration issue, just keep them corralled in one of the military housing units.
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WELL yes they could leave- but its a long walk to other civilization over non existant trails,long desolate roads, and maybe not to friendly fauna known as bears...
Last edited by CONSO; 9th Oct 2017 at 01:04.
If that's accurate, pax were on board the A380 at Goose for between 14 and 18 hours
I'd agree keeping passengers on board is far from ideal for everybody....I'll bet the AF crew wanted to get the pax off and get some horizontal rest as well, but honestly with the best will in the world sometimes s*** happens, even of a low grade variety, even when everybody is trying as hard as they can to produce the best outcome for the very body. There are things you simply can't plan for, but sometimes the best you can do is make sure passengers and crew are kept safe, warm, fed and watered......what happened on this flight doesn't sound ideal but it doesn't sound like cruel and unusual punishment either.
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As of now F-HPJE appears to be still sitting at Goose Bay, as you might expect.
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Did the rescue 777 take them to LAX? How many hours is that? It all seems rather gruelling to me and I don't envy them at all.
Well having enjoyed the military lifestyle a while back I'd be a bit wary off sending folks off to some (unknown to me) barrack blocks on the assumption that it must be better..Unoccupied or not? if unoccupied was the water off for the winter? bedding? entertainment? ....Having enjoyed time in barrack blocks and time on the aircraft over the years given the choice I'd stay on board thank you......
I can accept keeping by the passengers onboard was gruelling and would be hard work for the crew....but given what we actually know I'd still be prepared to accept it could have been the best option for the passengers...
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Any change of air and environment for a couple of hours would have worked wonders for me in this position. even being able to lie down on a wooden floor in a heated shed would have been preferable to 20 hours in an economy seat, then boarding another trans-continental flight. I'm literally horrified for the families with children.
But, there are security and safety concerns I know. I just hope the people making the decisions in this situation were as imaginative as possible.
But, there are security and safety concerns I know. I just hope the people making the decisions in this situation were as imaginative as possible.
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It has been reported that a group of people were let off the plane for a smoke break. I expect that they used the extra room gained when the first relief plane departed, the upper deck must've been free then. It's not that bad when you're not belted in, not hungry or thirsty, and you can get up for a few steps or a stretch from time to time. Putting something good on the TV probably goes a long way, too. ;-)