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The one in 2018 was from the same assembly batch of Boeings, had an uncontained failure with the starboard engine, occurred in February AND was also headed to Hawaii.And there was this one 5 years ago but haven't heard the cause. And also this one 2 years ago. Hmmmm.....
The one in 2018 was from the same assembly batch of Boeings, had an uncontained failure with the starboard engine, occurred in February AND was also headed to Hawaii.
So it's pretty obvious that going to Hawaii is the cause.
Pratt & Whitney PW4000Since none of the news mentioned the engine's make, I'm betting GE.
I bet the fires were hydraulic fluid and lubricating oils burning off. Higher flash point for these, perhaps, reduced the chance of explosion(?) The fuel to the engine would have been cut immediately on any trouble. But would the pilot be thinking this way? Probably just thinking "we've got to get this thing on the ground." Your question is valid, though. Personally, I would need new underwear, after landing.Here is a question I have always had: when is it more advisable to land a stricken aircraft immediately, anywhere, versus try and make it back to the airport?
With 20/20 hindsight it would have been better for the ValueJet with the loaded oxygen bottles to bring it down immediately as soon as they received a fire warning in the cargo hold. Or the Swiss Air(?) that had a cockpit fire and went down off of Nova Scotia. Obviously they had no pre knowledge of the fact that no one would survive, and thus to choose another option. They were doing what they were trained to do.
However, looking at this particular incident, you can see what appears to be fire in a section of the exposed engine, even after I assumed the cut the power(?). Was it a gamble to try and make it back to an airport instead of trying to bring it down "safely" anywhere, even barring the knowledge that the airport would have all the safety equipment on site? I mean could the pilots know that it was not an immediate explosive hazard?
Thoughts?
1. Fly the airplane.
2. Work the Boldface emergency checklist
3. Worry about landing when you reach that item in the checklist
One thing most people don't understand, is that lots of bigger aircraft have maximum landing weights. If you have to put it down and are way too far above that weight, about the only way to not destroy the aircraft is to land at Edwards or Groom lake, where you have runway capabilities in excess of 3 miles. You will still damage the aircraft, but it should be completely survivable.
BTW...he would have had to dump probably 100 tons of fuel to get below max landing weight.....
I see what the woman means now, that cone is a real mess, good to have an aircraft behind to give a sense of scale.