BA fire in Las Vegas

Preset No.3

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/08/us/las-vegas-british-airways-fire/index.html

ceadaoin.

Was just watching this, looks like one of the engines caught fire. Luckily they were able to abort the takeoff and everyone got off the plane safely.

The Backwards Man

That flight seems to have more than it's fair share of technical problems, this time last year one had to turn back over Scotland due to a fire too I seem to recall.

ceadaoin.

Not just that route, the BA flight from Vegas to Heathrow seems to be pretty unlucky too. Bomb threat in July meant it had to divert to Montreal (my husband was on this flight, scary experience) and another was diverted to Shannon in june due to a death onboard. There was a fire in the toilets en route another time too. I know they aren't technical issues but it's cursed I tell ya! Think I'll stick to Virgin Atlantic next time I go home :eek:

The Backwards Man

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Not just that route, the BA flight from Vegas to Heathrow seems to be pretty unlucky too. Bomb threat in July meant it had to divert to Montreal (my husband was on this flight, scary experience) and another was diverted to Shannon in june due to a death onboard. There was a fire in the toilets en route another time too. I know they aren't technical issues but it's cursed I tell ya! Think I'll stick to Virgin Atlantic next time I go home :eek:

I'm going to Vegas on the Heathrow route this year, was always Gatwick before. Might look into getting a coal boat instead!

Terrontress

There are recordings of ground control and the 777 on The Guardian. The straightforwardness and professionalism is fantastic to listen to. The controller is directing other traffic, switching to advising of Heavy Fire Services being on their way, then back to other ground control.

Nichard Dixon

What's the protocol in this case. Everyone pile out via every available chute or only on the side away from the fire?

vektarman

One noticeable thing was the number of evacuated passengers on the Tarmac that had their onboard luggage with them, how were they allowed down the chutes with their wheelie cases, wouldn't carrying your luggage through the cabin cause an obstruction during an evacuation?

eatmyshorts

Nichard Dixon wrote: »

What's the protocol in this case. Everyone pile out via every available chute or only on the side away from the fire?

It may vary between individual company SOP's. For us, the cabin crew at the door will make an assessment if it is usuable or not.

Locker10a

Nichard Dixon wrote: »

What's the protocol in this case. Everyone pile out via every available chute or only on the side away from the fire?

Cabin crew are trained to assess and makes decisions on what exits to open in an evacuation, they will decide what's safe to open and evacuate as many people as possible from their respective doors in as short a time as is possible

Locker10a

vektarman wrote: »

One noticeable thing was the number of evacuated passengers on the Tarmac that had their onboard luggage with them, how were they allowed down the chutes with their wheelie cases, wouldn't carrying your luggage through the cabin cause an obstruction during an evacuation?

It would cause a huge obstruction and a broken zip etc. could rip or burst the inflatable slide.... It's impossible to police this during an evacuation, there simple is not time or space to stop people with bags...... It's sheer ignorance on the part of passengers

Nichard Dixon

Is there a case for electronic locking of luggage storage on planes, both for emergencies and plonkers getting up while taxiing etc?

arubex

Locker10a wrote: »

It's sheer ignorance on the part of passengers

It is a nuisance and affects evacuation, but I understand why passengers do it.

They are facing the prospect of being dumped back into a foreign country for a stay of interderminate length, with only what they have in their pockets to identify themselves to authorities, communicate with family and buy basic provisions.

After 21 days they can submit a claim for lost baggage and hope that they can find receipts for everything that was in their luggage, plus for the luggage itself.

Or - just grab the backpack.

eatmyshorts

arubex wrote: »

It is a nuisance and affects evacuation, but I understand why passengers do it.

They are facing the prospect of being dumped back into a foreign country for a stay of interderminate length, with only what they have in their pockets to identify themselves to authorities, communicate with family and buy basic provisions.

After 21 days they can submit a claim for lost baggage and hope that they can find receipts for everything that was in their luggage, plus for the luggage itself.

Or - just grab the backpack.

That's why I always have my shoes on and wallet, phone and passport in my pockets for take off and landing.
A bit of easy preparation goes a long way.

eatmyshorts

L1011

17 years old, damaged fuselage as well as the engine/wing... I don't think we'll be seeing this fly again unfortunately

BZ

L1011 wrote: »

17 years old, damaged fuselage as well as the engine/wing... I don't think we'll be seeing this fly again unfortunately

Have to agree the damage is substantial can't see this bird back in the air again.

Am sure there is some one in BA about to ring the insurance claim hotline this morning. Are airplanes insured like cars?

sebcity

I'm flying to the States on Friday.
Due to get this BA2276 flight home next Saturday

arubex

arubex wrote: »

It is a nuisance and affects evacuation, but I understand why passengers do it.

They are facing the prospect of being dumped back into a foreign country for a stay of interderminate length, with only what they have in their pockets to identify themselves to authorities, communicate with family and buy basic provisions.

After 21 days they can submit a claim for lost baggage and hope that they can find receipts for everything that was in their luggage, plus for the luggage itself.

Or - just grab the backpack.

I'm sorry what !! You understand why they do it ! The plane is on fire and it's OKAY to stop and hold up an EMERGENCY EVACUATION while they are grabbing their cabin bags waddle down an aisle slowly with them just so they aren't SLIGHTLY inconvienced because they won't have a book or iPad for a few days.

There NEVER is any justifiable reason to STOP in an emergency, they do it in front of me I'm barging them out of the way. Their convenience is not worth someone else's life.

It's not a nuisance it's ignorance and potentially life endangering.

cml387

Hearing the tape this morning, was one of the flight crew from Dublin perchance?

Pat Dunne

sebcity wrote: »

I'm flying to the States on Friday.
Due to get this BA2276 flight home next Saturday

Why the sad face, there will be a BA flight waiting for you at the gate next Saturday, regardless.

eatmyshorts

sebcity wrote: »

I'm flying to the States on Friday.
Due to get this BA2276 flight home next Saturday

And??...

cml387

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm sorry what !! You understand why they do it ! The plane is on fire and it's OKAY to stop and hold up an EMERGENCY EVACUATION while they are grabbing their cabin bags waddle down an aisle slowly with them just so they aren't SLIGHTLY inconvienced because they won't have a book or iPad for a few days.

There NEVER is any justifiable reason to STOP in an emergency, they do it in front of me I'm barging them out of the way. Their convenience is not worth someone else's life.

It's not a nuisance it's ignorance and potentially life endangering.

I read a piece this morning from a Guardian journalist who was on the plane who commented on this. His point was that in a panic people do not necessarily think straight. You don't know how you'd respond until it happens. Easy sitting behind a keyboard to imagine what you'd do.

vicwatson

sebcity wrote: »

I'm flying to the States on Friday.
Due to get this BA2276 flight home next Saturday

Well you wont be now :pac:

L1011

vicwatson wrote: »

Well you wont be now :pac:

Itll be a hifly/titan craft even if BA dont find slack in the schedules to use one of their own

Locker10a

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm sorry what !! You understand why they do it ! The plane is on fire and it's OKAY to stop and hold up an EMERGENCY EVACUATION while they are grabbing their cabin bags waddle down an aisle slowly with them just so they aren't SLIGHTLY inconvienced because they won't have a book or iPad for a few days.

There NEVER is any justifiable reason to STOP in an emergency, they do it in front of me I'm barging them out of the way. Their convenience is not worth someone else's life.

It's not a nuisance it's ignorance and potentially life endangering.

I'm with you on this , if I'm ever in a situation like this flight and another passenger blocks me or others by retrieving their luggage they will receive from me a kick of the greatest force I can fathom.

Long Time Lurker

http://avherald.com/h?article=48c10434&opt=0

eatmyshorts

irishgeo

Long Time Lurker wrote: »

http://avherald.com/h?article=48c10434&opt=0

One reports says they opened one of the rear doors on the fire side of the plane and smoke started coming in so everyone had to go out the front.

Why open the door in the first place. Smoke is a bigger killer than fire.

flanzer

sebcity wrote: »

I'm flying to the States on Friday.
Due to get this BA2276 flight home next Saturday

Relax, you're more likely to be killed in the car on your way to the airport

cml387

cml387 wrote: »

I read a piece this morning from a Guardian journalist who was on the plane who commented on this. His point was that in a panic people do not necessarily think straight. You don't know how you'd respond until it happens. Easy sitting behind a keyboard to imagine what you'd do.

Was he one those seen carrying his luggage ? Is he trying to get his excuses in first?

People who do this have been found NOT to have paid any attention to cabin crew and emergency briefings before departure this blasé attitude will cost someone their life some day. Even after 30 years of flying I still pay attention to the briefing because some day I might need it.

irishgeo

Well done to the fire crews. Fire out in 4mins.

markpb

Locker10a wrote: »

I'm with you on this , if I'm ever in a situation like this flight and another passenger blocks me or others by retrieving their luggage they will receive from me a kick of the greatest force I can fathom.

And, with all due respect, your actions could cause a bigger problem than the people getting their bags did in the first case.

arubex

Deleted User wrote: »

There NEVER is any justifiable reason to STOP in an emergency, they do it in front of me I'm barging them out of the way. Their convenience is not worth someone else's life.

It's not a nuisance it's ignorance and potentially life endangering.

Barge on ahead then. I gave an explanation of why people take their baggage with them; they're thinking beyond the immediate situation to 'how am I going to eat for the next week?'. Whether that's rational or not depends on your frame of reference; they don't particularly care about your plight, why should they?

I didn't defend it, though I'd probably do it myself.

Have you ever presented yourself at an embassy with no identity or travel documents?

eatmyshorts

arubex wrote: »

Have you ever presented yourself at an embassy with no identity or travel documents?

As I previously said, keep your passport, wallet and phone in your pocket for take off and landing. A simple solution. It's really not that difficult!

elastico

arubex wrote: »

Have you ever presented yourself at an embassy with no identity or travel documents?

I am sure its a fairly common occurrence.

I am sure this baggage thing is relative anyway.

If your bag is 4 rows back in the wrong direction then you won't be going there.

If you are in an aisle seat and the 2 behind are shouting to keep moving I doubt you would get a chance to stop and take the bags out.

Maybe some people just hung back, let the crowd off and then took their bags.

Or had smaller back packs under their seats.

Dardania

cml387 wrote: »

Hearing the tape this morning, was one of the flight crew from Dublin perchance?

wondered that too - the second voice announcing they're evacuating was much flatter than the first voice.

CRM at play...

Dardania

irishgeo wrote: »

One reports says they opened one of the rear doors on the fire side of the plane and smoke started coming in so everyone had to go out the front.

Why open the door in the first place. Smoke is a bigger killer than fire.

there may not have been smoke outside before opening - maybe opening the door caused a negative pressure that then sucked the smoke in?

Or maybe the cabin crew didn't check...

No I haven't had to do it, my friend has and he said it was grand after he reported the passport stolen to the police it was straight forward.

I however always keep my passport and wallet and phone on me when travelling through an airport and on the plane.

Anyway I've saidy piece and I still stand by every word of it.

Well done to the BA crew they did a fantastic job. Minor injuries only considering the extent of the fire.

pfurey101

irishgeo wrote: »

Well done to the fire crews. Fire out in 4mins.

Which probably explains why the wing fuel tanks didn't catch fire. It must have been a close one timewise, I'd imagine!

cml387

I presume this was a Trent engine.
Is this engine causing more than it's fair share of problems?

Dardania

cml387 wrote: »

I presume this was a Trent engine.
Is this engine causing more than it's fair share of problems?

GE90: http://avherald.com/h?article=48c10434&opt=0

eatmyshorts

cml387 wrote: »

I presume this was a Trent engine.
Is this engine causing more than it's fair share of problems?

Why presume that?

cml387

Dardania wrote: »

GE90: http://avherald.com/h?article=48c10434&opt=0

That's me leaping to conclusions:o

martinsvi

regarding the luggage - I think the factor here was that with only 157 pax on board this 777 was pretty empty thus allowing people to move about pretty quickly even with their bags. Once you see one guy taking his bag, the next one will follow, it becomes herd instinct. With more people, there would be pushing from those closer to fire and I don't think we would end up seeing so many bags carried out

I agree with eatmyshorts, I condemn such behavior but Its somewhat understandable

martinsvi

just looking at the pictures, I don't understand how an engine fire could cause such damage in front of the engine in the fuselage? Are we sure it's an engine fire and not cargo fire?

Locker10a

martinsvi wrote: »

regarding the luggage - I think the factor here was that with only 157 pax on board this 777 was pretty empty thus allowing people to move about pretty quickly even with their bags. Once you see one guy taking his bag, the next one will follow, it becomes herd instinct. With more people, there would be pushing from those closer to fire and I don't think we would end up seeing so many bags carried out

I agree with eatmyshorts, I condemn such behavior but Its somewhat understandable

Excellent point ! 159 pax so in the cabin that meant 11 cabin crew to direct the evacuation of 159 people! In another scenario say a 737 that was fully booked, let's say 180+ passengers and only 4 cabin crew, in this scenario things would undoubtly be different, and had the fire service not been as speedy as they were......well I'll let you imagine that for yourselves

Frynge

martinsvi wrote: »

just looking at the pictures, I don't understand how an engine fire could cause such damage in front of the engine in the fuselage? Are we sure it's an engine fire and not cargo fire?

My thoughts exactly, the fuselage seems to have suffered major damage and the engine nacelle seems relatively unscathed.

cml387

Only speculation, but an uncontained engine failure would shoot out burning engine bits that would casue damage like that.

martinsvi

cml387 wrote: »

Only speculation, but an uncontained engine failure would shoot out burning engine bits that would casue damage like that.

here, I googled "uncontained engine failure" for you, none of the pictures look like this:

pic from avherald