BA 744 stranded at DAAT
 

jacdec.de reports BA 74 flight was diverted to Algerian desert town of Tamanrasset due to a fault of the "equipment cooling exhaust valve"...

Must have happened early sunday.

not much media attention to this one

r

Should the title not be..

BA 744 diverted to DAAT.

Stranded seems a little pejorative. If it is still there this time next week, it will then be "stranded."

Wonder whether its a convenient point to pick up Brits brought out of the Libyan desert oil camps?

Always looking for an alternative.

DavidsM
 

Interesting theory but Google maps suggests no roads (not that roads are an absolute requirement).

BA 747 NOT stranded at DAAT
 

The aircraft spent 12hrs in the Algerian sun and then departed again for London.

Arrived late last night (27th Feb)

Don't fly longhaul myself. However I've been told one of the greatest joys in life is calling V1 in Lagos. I know pointless comment but so was the journo who wrote the article.

Update

It was an equipment cooling message - how the Nigerian press get that to be an "oh we are going to die a fiery death" engine problem beggers belief.

A relief 747 with engineers was sent. The problem was fairly quickly resolved and both aircraft returned late on Sunday night.

DAAT is fun place
 

I would not go there as a precautionary diversion.

Long thin runway, in a black hole.

But needs must.

There is some oil work close by but not enough for a SAS/BA tactical diversion ploy.

glf

, However I've been told one of the greatest joys in life is calling V1 in Lagos.>

No - it's seeing it from FL350 on the way to or from CPT

Lagos
 

That's still too close :(

Gulfstreamaviator - You may be able to get into any number of other airports in your toy aeroplane, but if you look at the diversion options for a heavy jet between Lagos and the bottom end of Europe, DAAT/TMR is the best option. Keep taking the tablets.

Equip cooling isnt a precautionary diversion its an emergency.

Some highlights from the QRH

Theres barely one word in that article thats correct!

Interesting. Flying Lagos/London, I would usually try to call Tamanrasset on VHF when coming abeam it on the long Niamey/Ghardhaia leg, particularly in my A310 (twin-engine) days. Although it was usually the early hours, they invariably responded. Good to glance again at the approach chart (high and hilly), get their wx, and show them we valued their existence. But the prospect of going there for the first time in the dark with an engine failure (or worse) was not a pleasant one.

Main-line pilots lead a sheltered life, and most of us prefer it that way. This crew obviously reckoned they had – or might have had – a very serious problem downstairs. As Gulfstreamaviator says: needs must.

Chris (old and retired)

Hotel Mode, I bow to your QRH
 

However in my toy aircraft, it is not an immediate land at nearest suitable airfield situation.

It is certainly not the only one, but given the alternate of Niger then yes it is the best...

Algiers is much more suitable. Taman, is a runway, but would I call it a suitable airfield NO. Last time I was there, at night, as a scheduled refueling stop, there was actually no ATC, as it was meal break.If you have not been there, at night, then it is not recommended to just drop in.
Not even certain what the Data Base in my toy covers in the way of procedures.

glf

Well first reports are that despite the lack of procedures in the database ( gosh, how did we use to manage in the "old days" :rolleyes:) the arrival didn't cause any great difficulties and the support from the ground personnel was first rate.

Hahaha - just read the Nigerian article. Love the comment 'I think the passengers are far more likely to have 'escaped death' on the drive to Lagos Airport than during the precautionary landing in Tamanrasset.'

Hmmm...wonder what sort of passengers the replacement was carrying...

Cue the consipiracy theories....:rolleyes:

Engineers, of course, from Hereford !!!!!!!!!!

Lid