United 777 SFO
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 530
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From: Island of Aphrodite
Pax oxygen masks were deployed (not by crew).
See Incident: United B772 at San Francisco on Apr 12th 2012, lightning strike
See Incident: United B772 at San Francisco on Apr 12th 2012, lightning strike
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 570
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From: MI
Fuel Dumping -
I never had to dump fuel in my whole career [except in the Sim of course !! ], but even though it supposedly vaporizes, I can't believe that SOME fuel doesn't reach the ground. I always thought that if I ever had to dump, I'd sure try and be over water or far from civiliztion.
Thoughts...
I never had to dump fuel in my whole career [except in the Sim of course !! ], but even though it supposedly vaporizes, I can't believe that SOME fuel doesn't reach the ground. I always thought that if I ever had to dump, I'd sure try and be over water or far from civiliztion.
Thoughts...
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,569
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From: Florida
I can't believe that SOME fuel doesn't reach the ground
The ppm makes it low enough that very few know.
I was aboard a B747 where the pilot announced dumping fuel while over New Jersey. Some of us laughed about if the folks on the gorung would know.
I was never quite sure if his announcement was a pre event or during. I never did forget his announcement right after the first one "please do not smoke"
I spoke to him afterwards and we both stated it was our first air-turn-back and fuel dump.
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Sentul
A question for the experts; during fuel jettison will the fuel become atomized and be susceptible to fire hazard from lightning? Likewise in a small fuel leak, will the atomized fuel ignite due to St Elmo's fire type electrical static charge?
I surmised that they must have dumped fuel away from the area where they first had the lightning strike.
I surmised that they must have dumped fuel away from the area where they first had the lightning strike.
Joined: Jul 2009
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,597
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From: Not far from a big Lake
As a Naval aviator, we routinely dumped fuel. In my type aircraft, we usually left a couple of thousand pounds in the wing where it was dumpable, and transferred the rest in. Landing gross weight limitations were absolute and had to be met. You were always saving fuel to better handle contingencies, and then dumping down to landing weight at the last minute, often on downwind and even into the groove. We often observed our wingmen's dump and our own. Depending on the rate of dump and airspeed, the fuel plume would break up into fine droplets and be invisible within a couple of plane lengths.
I've always been amazed at the amount of agonizing airline folks do over dumping fuel.
Swissair Flight 111 comes to mind. Instead of fiddling around with the dump, they would have been far better off to have turned on the dumps, point the nose toward Halifax, and come on down as quickly as possible (only under control this time).
I've always been amazed at the amount of agonizing airline folks do over dumping fuel.
Swissair Flight 111 comes to mind. Instead of fiddling around with the dump, they would have been far better off to have turned on the dumps, point the nose toward Halifax, and come on down as quickly as possible (only under control this time).
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: MI
Machinbird -
I've always been amazed at the amount of agonizing airline folks do over dumping fuel.
I've always been amazed at the amount of agonizing airline folks do over dumping fuel.
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Around the World
@Machinbird:
Quote:
"Swissair Flight 111 comes to mind. Instead of fiddling around with the dump, they would have been far better off to have turned on the dumps, point the nose toward Halifax, and come on down as quickly as possible (only under control this time)."
Before making such statements take the time to read the final report about the SR111´s accident.
Quote:
"Swissair Flight 111 comes to mind. Instead of fiddling around with the dump, they would have been far better off to have turned on the dumps, point the nose toward Halifax, and come on down as quickly as possible (only under control this time)."
Before making such statements take the time to read the final report about the SR111´s accident.
Last edited by 69flight; 15th April 2012 at 18:34. Reason: Quote not included
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: 1N
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise”
― David Zindell, The Broken God
― David Zindell, The Broken God
Joined: Jul 2009
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 1,597
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From: Not far from a big Lake
Originally Posted by 69flight
Before making such statements take the time to read the final report about the SR111´s accident.
I have no desire to rehash that entire accident on this thread. We all should know just how bad an emergency a fire in flight is, and that extending your time in the air is extremely hazardous.
Of course, I do have significant hindsight bias.
Joined: May 2008
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From: UK
I seem to recall from the first hint of smoke to the pilots becoming incapacitated due to heat was just 12 minutes. The investigators stated that even if the airfield was ideally situated ahead of the aircraft they still wouldn't make it.
