Emergency Qantas landing?

[oz_mark]

Absolutely your right and I respect that. Perhaps over a beer you can explain some of the technicalities of the onboard computer systems...

I'm hoping I will learn a bit about how it all hangs together and how the computers decide on what to do. At the moment seems to me the AutoPilot was smart enough to know the data being fed to it was suspect and disconnected, while the systems that keep the plane within safe limits kept paying attention to the rubbish being generated.

 

[oz_mark]

QANTAS yesterday blamed Airbus for an incident in which 70 passengers were injured after a Perth-bound A330 jet plunged unexpectedly over the West Australian coast.
Geoff Dixon, the airline's outgoing chief executive, said investigators were focusing on a design problem and it was "an issue for the manufacturer, Airbus".

Qantas blames Airbus for plunge over Western Australia | Herald Sun

 

[Evan]

Is the plane back in service ? or even have a date for back in service ? any damage other than cosmetic ?

E

 

[oz_mark]

Preliminary report is out, as reported here: US tests to explain Qantas plane dive | The Australian

Link to the report: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2008/AAIR/pdf/AO2008070_prelim.pdf


As for the seatbelt question, the report made an interesting comment that some should take note of:

Based on this information, almost all of the passengers who were seated without seatbelts fastened received either serious or minor injuries during the first in-flight upset. Many of these passengers impacted the ceiling panels. Most of the passengers who had their seatbelts fastened were uninjured, although some received minor injuries. Passengers who were standing at the time of the first in-flight upset received either serious or minor injuries.

 

[JohnK]

As for the seatbelt question, the report made an interesting comment that some should take note of:

I hope people do take note. When seated always have your seat belt fastened.

 

[oz_mark]

I am surprised that the papers are still pushing the Navy Base (http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/naval-base-link-to-qantas-plunge/2008/11/14/1226318890475.html) and laptops (The Associated Press: Officials ask if laptops caused Qantas plane dive)
which while is still an area they are looking into are both thought unlikely.

 

[straitman]

I hope people do take note. When seated always have your seat belt fastened.

But it still was all Qantas's fault of course :!:

 

[Evan]

Where is the aircraft now and has it been internally renovated and returned to service yet ? i see there was from the G readings on the aircraft no reason to believe there was any damage to it structurally.
E

 

[oz_mark]

Where is the aircraft now and has it been internally renovated and returned to service yet ? i see there was from the G readings on the aircraft no reason to believe there was any damage to it structurally.
E

Last I heard was it was back in Sydney. Not sure what its current status is.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Last I heard was it was back in Sydney. Not sure what its current status is.

I read on AFF or FT is was at Avalon where B747 work is done. Can't find that post.

 

[NM]

I read on AFF or FT is was at Avalon where B747 work is done. Can't find that post.

VH-OJK, the B744 with the hole in the fuselage, ferried from MNL to AVV for repairs.

VH-QPA, the A330 that took to nose diving off WA, is now in SYD undergoing interior fitting repairs.

 

[Evan]

I would imagine them that the A333 would be back on line soon then

Also wonder how much repair on the 744 was done by LH-technic in MNL and how much is being done here.... may also not be that far from returning to service.

E

 

[simongr]

Also wonder how much repair on the 744 was done by LH-technic in MNL and how much is being done here.... may also not be that far from returning to service.

E

God I hope not. It's not that I don't trust the overseas repairs - I just can't face the mangled news reports blaming overseas servicing for the failure if they find out repairs were done by LH crews...

 

[Evan]

God I hope not. It's not that I don't trust the overseas repairs - I just can't face the mangled news reports blaming overseas servicing for the failure if they find out repairs were done by LH crews...

Your right, but boeing did send there own engineers to MNL to start the repair.
As you say its all about what the news would say, nothing to do with the fact that the LH workshop is probably considered one of the best in the world even if it is in Asia and lots of airlines use them.

If somebody knew the flight and could find the details you could assume from the flight alltitute i guess if it was fluing presurised, and if so then it must be reasonably repaired. Because even de-presureised i think they keep the altitude low right, like the 743 PER-MEL last year or year before ?

E

 

[oz_mark]

Also wonder how much repair on the 744 was done by LH-technic in MNL and how much is being done here.... may also not be that far from returning to service.

I would have thought that they would have repaired the fuselage sufficeintly to pressurise and return the aircraft to Sydney where they would undertake all the cabin repairs required.

 

[Evan]

I would have thought that they would have repaired the fuselage sufficeintly to pressurise and return the aircraft to Sydney where they would undertake all the cabin repairs required.

That would be my assumption as well. This is why i would have guessed a soonish return to service, of course now in AVV its had a ground incident ! see the other thread. They just cant win right now can they.

E

 

[NM]

I would have thought that they would have repaired the fuselage sufficeintly to pressurise and return the aircraft to Sydney where they would undertake all the cabin repairs required.

Yes, the repair of the hull damage was completed in MNL and the aircraft ferried back pressurised and apparently cruised at FL430.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes, the repair of the hull damage was completed in MNL and the aircraft ferried back pressurised and apparently cruised at FL430.

Rather lofty flight back

 

[straitman]

Rather lofty flight back

I was just thinking that. Rather high for a 744 even when empty.

 

[Evan]

Presume it may have also been to validate ground tests of the hull with now passangers onboard ?
But you know it would have been light ! no people, baggage or freight.
Maybe just some good tail winds at that height and they could climb that high easily so why not
E