finnair Man 10/05/08
 

was spotting at Man yesterday and saw a Finnair flight that delayed departure from 23L about 1100hrs due to a troublesome passenger, aircraft went from take off point to first intersection and pulled off while passenger was calmed down.. BUT what we didnt understand was there was something attached to the nose wheel, didnt have camera but looked like a T shape...as if something from the tug was left in place....never seen it before....anyone got any ideas ?? Flight departed some time later with said attachment still in place....ALSO we wondered how could we notify the tower if we do see something ammiss

If the aeroplane took off normally and there was no ther news about said "item" I imagine that all was well. I believe it was the old DC9 which had a T-shaped protusion on the nosewheel leg. Somebody with more recent experience will probably confirm or corect me.

If you start ringing ATC whenever you believe something is amiss they will get rapidly tired of you!! The crews will usually be aware of any problems and the controllers are looking at aircraft all the time. If something is untoward, it will be noticed.

I told an Air France crew once that their uncarriage was still down after departure. The reply was: "Affirmative; we use it for take-off".