| Topic: | BA Flight Lands Short of Runway at Heathrow | |
| Posted by: | Kevin Regan | |
| Date/Time: | 25/01/08 00:45:00 |
| Thanks to all contributors who may, like me, be concerned that this very nearly landed outside the perimeter. We face the possibility in the not too distant future of the prospect of 3 runways, each with landing approaches over this area. No rotation of runways, as at present, just 3 continual streams of aircraft. I noted again today, that aircraft approaching were not lowering undercarriages until well past TG station. It was a cold day, perhaps the word is out to the pilots that in cold conditions, maybe they are playing safe by keeping cleanest airflow profile until late in approach. Fuel waxing could explain why no fleet type grounding, but if this is found to be the cause, will it disprove global warming?? How difficult is it to drain water out of the fuel tanks? I have read the report, but are these low temperatures so unusual at these altitudes? If unusual, I would have expected that fact to have been reported already to assist in finding cause. If it not unusual temperature, why then could the fuel have had waxing/freezing problems after its descent from high altitude? Whilst no expert, I have flown many times and the descent is not swift, not from say 38,000 feet straight in, as there is usually a spiral type descent which should have been sufficient for the fuel to have warmed up past any potential waxing effect. Something is still not right so far, the 777 is still operating, eliminating type problem, and crew still praised for efforts at landing a brick. Momentum versus gravity......... I'm also surprised that an aircraft reported at 600 feet managed to fly 2 miles or so in this condition! I'm sure this is an unprecedented event, just wish it hadn't happened so close to us!! I don't think I'm alone in visualising this happening again with 3 runways in operation and less success. Is the future that not only will passengers have to arrive 2 or 3 hours preflight but then have 15 to 30 minutes in a stack whilst the fuel warms up. Concorde flew at much higher altitude and therefore even colder temperatures and never experienced fuel waxing. Answers please on a plain postcard would be appreciated. |