Is it unusual to have people taken off a flight for 15min & come back on?

megapixel

Was on a return flight from gran canaria last night.
We were delayed leaving due to the flight having to do a second attempt at landing due to strong winds.
So we get onboard and the pilot says we will be stopping in Faro for a refuelling.
So we take off and land in Faro. The refuelling begins and the air hostess says will the people she has spoken to make their way to the top of the plane.
So about 8 people go forward some with canes and crutches and they go to the right of the plane at the top into a room that was attached to the plane. Then some airport porters come on and take a man off in a wheelchair, to the same area.
The other door that you normally board on is open as well with the airport staff coming in and out. So after 40mins or so the people come back on board and we take off about 10 mins later. All in all we were delayed about 2 hours.

So my question is does this happen often, why do you think the people were taken off the plane?

Alaba320

To refuel an aircraft while people stay on board there are a number of certain criteria to meet. One of these includes the restriction that nobody in wheelchairs or people with reduced mobility can remain on the aircraft. The reason is that in the event of an evacuation these passengers may not be able to get out themselves and/or impede others getting out. There was probably a fire truck sitting behind you for the duration of the fuelling as well - another one of the many conditions. Did they tell you to unbuckle your seatbelts also?

megapixel

Alaba320 wrote: »

To refuel an aircraft while people stay on board there are a number of certain criteria to meet. One of these includes the restriction that nobody in wheelchairs or people with reduced mobility can remain on the aircraft. The reason is that in the event of an evacuation these passengers may not be able to get out themselves and/or impede others getting out. There was probably a fire truck sitting behind you for the duration of the fuelling as well - another one of the many conditions. Did they tell you to unbuckle your seatbelts also?

Thanks for that...We were coming up with wild and exciting ideas of why...More to pass the time.

Wonder why they couldn't refuel in Gran Canaria?

Alaba320

megapixel wrote: »

Thanks for that...We were coming up with wild and exciting ideas of why...More to pass the time.

Wonder why they couldn't refuel in Gran Canaria?

I could give u the really technical answer as to why they couldnt, but you'd be bored stiff - so basically its to do with weight of plane, winds and runway length. Most days they can make it without the fuel stop, but sometimes conditions mean that they need to stop. It's quite common with Arrecife - Dublin.

megapixel

Well I have learnt something today.
Thank you...

JCX BXC

megapixel wrote: »

Wonder why they couldn't refuel in Gran Canaria?

Due to Runway Restriction/Temperture/Wind or a combination of these the plane could not have sufficent fuel to make it to Dublin.

ScouseMouse

Alaba320 wrote: »

To refuel an aircraft while people stay on board there are a number of certain criteria to meet. One of these includes the restriction that nobody in wheelchairs or people with reduced mobility can remain on the aircraft. The reason is that in the event of an evacuation these passengers may not be able to get out themselves and/or impede others getting out. There was probably a fire truck sitting behind you for the duration of the fuelling as well - another one of the many conditions. Did they tell you to unbuckle your seatbelts also?

Fascinating. Thats what I love about this forum.

kona

Carnacalla wrote: »

Due to Runway Restriction/Temperture/Wind or a combination of these the plane could not have sufficent fuel to make it to Dublin.

I think it's to do with if they lose a engine on take off, with full weight the aircraft won't perform as well as the company is comfortable with.

andy_g

Strong headwinds on that route lately so basically higher fuel burn bringing you too close to your hold fuel/alternate so on the way ya need to stop for a top off.

Also its a legal requirement for reduced mobility to be taken off during fueling/ not board until fueling is complete

smurfjed

I think it's to do with if they lose a engine on take off, with full weight the aircraft won't perform as well as the company is comfortable with.

All takeoffs are based on the assumption that one engine shall fail during the takeoff, the aircraft must be able to stop on the remaining runway or continue, it must be able to reach 35 feet at the end of the runway, clear all obstacles in the flight path and achieve a specific climb gradient.

In some cases where the runway isn't long enough or there are limiting obstacles, an aircraft may not be able to achieve its maximum structural takeoff weight, on some routes this means that payload has to be reduced or a technical landing will be required to pick up more fuel.

Alaba320

Admittedly I couldn't remember all of the requirements for fuelling with PAX on board as the operator I fly for don't allow it (or need it) So I've trawled through my ATPL stuff (still get shivers ) and found the requirements. See attached photo for those that are interested.

eatmyshorts

Alaba320 wrote: »

Admittedly I couldn't remember all of the requirements for fuelling with PAX on board as the operator I fly for don't allow it (or need it) So I've trawled through my ATPL stuff (still get shivers ) and found the requirements. See attached photo for those that are interested.

Those are pretty generic regulations. In reality, it varies between airlines, countries and even individual airports.

Alaba320

eatmyshorts wrote: »

Those are pretty generic regulations. In reality, it varies between airlines, countries and even individual airports.

Yeah they are the EU-OPS regulations, and while generic, they are the minimum requirements, and yes, countries, airlines and even some airport authorities may add their own requirements. But they must not be less than these.

Stinicker

I wonder does this happen in Dublin with the Ethiopian flights which refuel enroute to their respective destinations?