Belfast emergency landing under investigation

[rigpiggy]

most a/c require a longer distance OEI regardless of the flap setting. given the choice go long, at least you won't overrun unless you really screw the pooch

[RAFAT]

FF - there would be absolutely no problem landing with an engine out at BHD, but the recommended flap setting for landing under such circumstances would be 15° to satisfy go-around performance, and the B4 states that flap 35° is mandatory on runways of less than 1800m. What this means, as I said before, is that operating in accordance with the B4 (and not reality) means that with an engine out you could not land at BHD. As I also said before, the 1800m ruling is nothing to do with actual performance, it's just that someone senior on the fleet thought it was a good idea at the time, so it was written into the B4.

[Cloud Chaser]

A Q400 returned to BHD on one engine quite recently. The management described it as a "textbook recovery". Would seem an odd comment if this wasn't permitted.

[RAFAT]

Quite correct. The aircraft Commander is of course allowed to deviate from the B4 if he/she considers non-standard procedures appropriate. Thankfully common sense prevailed in this instance.