Oh, dear.
September 21, 2005 5:33 PM Subscribe
JetBlue flight 292, with 145 people on board, is currently circling LAX, burning fuel while it prepares for an emergency landing with its nose gear twisted 90 degrees.
I like how CNN can take about the same amount of information contained in the FPP above and stretch it into 30 minutes of EXCITING NEWS ACTION SITUATION ROOM TELEVISION.
posted by chasing at 5:38 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by chasing at 5:38 PM on September 21, 2005
chasing, I pride myself on being concise.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:38 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:38 PM on September 21, 2005
Holy crap. I can see the LAX landing pattern out my office window...
posted by zoogleplex at 5:39 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 5:39 PM on September 21, 2005
Wow. I live less than four miles outside of Burbank airport, and our relatives fly jet blue all the time (since they started flying out of burbank, that is, which was recently.)
Here's to a safe landing.
posted by davejay at 5:39 PM on September 21, 2005
Here's to a safe landing.
posted by davejay at 5:39 PM on September 21, 2005
Oh, and let's hope your name isn't prophetic, Crash.
posted by davejay at 5:40 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by davejay at 5:40 PM on September 21, 2005
"If you were flying this plane, Jim, what would you be telling your crew, your passengers?"
"I think they're being prepared for the worst possible outcome..."
posted by chasing at 5:40 PM on September 21, 2005
"I think they're being prepared for the worst possible outcome..."
posted by chasing at 5:40 PM on September 21, 2005
mr_crash_davis: Concise is good, but how are you going to keep viewers from switching to Fark.com's reports if you don't glue them to MetaFilter with fancy graphics and maybe an exclusive interview with someone who has either been on a plane or lives near Los Angeles?
posted by chasing at 5:42 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by chasing at 5:42 PM on September 21, 2005
They should be able to land with a pretty high degree of safety... they'll try to keep the nose up in the air for as long as possible after the main gear touches.
There are still planes coming into the pattern on both runways at LAX, with a few going out as well.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:44 PM on September 21, 2005
There are still planes coming into the pattern on both runways at LAX, with a few going out as well.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:44 PM on September 21, 2005
Woops should have added that clearly they haven't cleared out the pattern quite yet.
Hearing that the plane will land by 6PM.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:45 PM on September 21, 2005
Hearing that the plane will land by 6PM.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:45 PM on September 21, 2005
I'm hearing 3 minutes or less: 8:50PM EST / 5:50PMPST. On CNN.
posted by chasing at 5:47 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by chasing at 5:47 PM on September 21, 2005
Some commentary that perhaps touching the landing gear to the ground for a moment will straighten it out.
Wishful thinking? No idea.
posted by davejay at 5:47 PM on September 21, 2005
Wishful thinking? No idea.
posted by davejay at 5:47 PM on September 21, 2005
apparently the passengers may be watching the same live station.
posted by joelf at 5:50 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by joelf at 5:50 PM on September 21, 2005
too bad most people don't respect flight attendants until an emergency arises... right now they are prepping the cabin and going thru final emerg. procedures with pax, such as brace positions and commands... my thoughts are with them right now..
posted by GoodJob! at 5:51 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by GoodJob! at 5:51 PM on September 21, 2005
Still some other planes landing and taking off. Apparently they're landing on 25 L, the southern main runway, which is farthest from where I'm at.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:52 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 5:52 PM on September 21, 2005
Let's hope they end up as well off as the Toronto Air France people.
posted by anthill at 5:52 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by anthill at 5:52 PM on September 21, 2005
Planes still in the pattern, they haven't cleared the airport yet. Shouldn't be long tho. Says they're circling out over the ocean, so they'll have to fly east about 10 miles to turn back west for the final approach.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:56 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 5:56 PM on September 21, 2005
Looks like two 747s on approach now... they're getting the heavies down in advance I guess.
posted by zoogleplex at 5:58 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 5:58 PM on September 21, 2005
The only feed I could get to work is the ABC one.
posted by mathowie at 5:59 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mathowie at 5:59 PM on September 21, 2005
Is it just me, or does that ABC close-up of the landing gear look like an Achewood character? Something about the twisty wheels.
posted by rxrfrx at 6:00 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by rxrfrx at 6:00 PM on September 21, 2005
Pattern now looks empty, I don't see any planes.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:01 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:01 PM on September 21, 2005
Yeah I'll have to call that as definite, the pattern is now empty, no planes coming in or going out.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:03 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:03 PM on September 21, 2005
thanks mathowie - I don't have tv. I'll rivet nervously to this instead....
posted by kalimac at 6:03 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by kalimac at 6:03 PM on September 21, 2005
Oops sorry, two just took off, both runways. Nothing on approach that I can see.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:04 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:04 PM on September 21, 2005
Hmf, okay, there's another one coming in. I guess they haven't closed the airport yet.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:05 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:05 PM on September 21, 2005
Pattern now looks empty, I don't see any planes.
My first thought at reading this was "Negative, Ghostrider, the pattern is full."
posted by mrbill at 6:06 PM on September 21, 2005
My first thought at reading this was "Negative, Ghostrider, the pattern is full."
posted by mrbill at 6:06 PM on September 21, 2005
Has anyone heard how the front wheels could get tweaked around so severely like that? They seemed to be turned right at take-off, but I can't imagine a plane could take off like that...
If any of you are currently reading MetaFilter from inside the nosecone of the JetBlue flight, could you please let me know?
Thanks.
posted by chasing at 6:07 PM on September 21, 2005
If any of you are currently reading MetaFilter from inside the nosecone of the JetBlue flight, could you please let me know?
Thanks.
posted by chasing at 6:07 PM on September 21, 2005
MSNBC is reporting that the same exact thing -- front landing gear twisted 90 degrees -- happed many years ago on the same model of plane. Not remembering the details now...
posted by VulcanMike at 6:09 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by VulcanMike at 6:09 PM on September 21, 2005
"Has anyone heard how the front wheels could get tweaked around so severely like that?"
I haven't, chasing, and it really is bothering me. I can't come up with any scenario that makes sense.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:09 PM on September 21, 2005
I haven't, chasing, and it really is bothering me. I can't come up with any scenario that makes sense.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:09 PM on September 21, 2005
My editor just told me he was supposed to be on this flight, but his trip got cancelled. I told him to pick up a lottery ticket.
posted by mwhybark at 6:10 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mwhybark at 6:10 PM on September 21, 2005
If any of you are currently reading MetaFilter from inside the nosecone of the JetBlue flight, could you please let me know?
If I am ever stuck on a plane about to make an emergency landing that could possibly turn out very badly... I would absolutely want to go down reading Metafilter. Or, better yet, posting a question about my situation on AskMetafilter.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:11 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
If I am ever stuck on a plane about to make an emergency landing that could possibly turn out very badly... I would absolutely want to go down reading Metafilter. Or, better yet, posting a question about my situation on AskMetafilter.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:11 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
ABC's expert is saying that there was probably some kind of equipment failure, and the wheels got twisted after taking off and couldn't be straightened. It's also apparently more common in fighter aircraft - it's happened a few times, with no fatality.
posted by kalimac at 6:11 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by kalimac at 6:11 PM on September 21, 2005
I wonder if the people getting married in a panic on board will break it off once they land safely.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
The expert on ABC just remarked this kind of landing gear twist is not unheard of. He said it was probably a material failure and he had seen it before on fighter jets.
posted by sixdifferentways at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by sixdifferentways at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
Landing estimated in six minutes..
posted by eddydamascene at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by eddydamascene at 6:12 PM on September 21, 2005
Here's an almost identical incident from the wonderful National Transportation Safety Board database. Seems the maintenance crew improperly installed the shock absorber on the nose wheel of an A319, allowing it to turn and lock 90 degrees after takeoff.
The captain landed successfully on the nose wheel, which was "ground down to the axle'.
What do you think? Sounds plausible to me...
posted by anthill at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
The captain landed successfully on the nose wheel, which was "ground down to the axle'.
What do you think? Sounds plausible to me...
posted by anthill at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
I can't even fathom what it would be like - circling for a few hours, burning off fuel, knowing you're going to crash land, and potentially even watching your own flight circling live on MSNBC. My god, those poor folks.
I hope they come through this safely.
posted by icosahedral at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
I hope they come through this safely.
posted by icosahedral at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
Says the plane has started on the downwind run, about 10 minutes to landing.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
This is just a guess, but in a plane, your rudder pedals control the front wheel as well as the rudder. Often large planes will make sharp turns immediately after take-off to avoid populated areas, before the landing gear has been retracted. When you turn, you apply rudder to keep the drag caused by the excess lift of the higher wing from making the airplane yaw. If, during all this, some switch or something broke in landing gear, well...
posted by dsword at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by dsword at 6:13 PM on September 21, 2005
This is insane.. CNN international is covering it..
posted by thedoctorpants at 6:15 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by thedoctorpants at 6:15 PM on September 21, 2005
on the tube that is..
posted by thedoctorpants at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by thedoctorpants at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
Here's the A320 incident (same model as one today) in 1999 being mentioned in MSNBC.
posted by VulcanMike at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by VulcanMike at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
Turning on final now.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:16 PM on September 21, 2005
the commentary is inane I must say (on the feed, not here)
posted by edgeways at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by edgeways at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
I just wonder what those poor people are thinking. Do you think the pilots might've made up some excuse for the situation, so as to avoid panic- or did they tell them all exactly what was happening? I can't imagine sitting there for two hours just waiting for it to go either way.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
From the full narrative of that 2002 incident I mentioned above:
"The manufacturer of the NLG (nose landing gear) shock absorber is Messier-Dowty....
...The shock absorber assembly consists of two sections: a stationary inner cylinder (piston), which is mounted inside the shock strut assembly, and a sliding tube, which is the lower portion and contains the wheel axle. The upper portion of the inner cylinder contains anti-rotation lugs. During installation of the shock absorber, the anti-rotation lugs are aligned in slots on a backplate, which is mounted inside the top of the shock strut. A nut is then installed to secure the inner cylinder of the shock absorber/gear assembly to the backplate.
The bottom of the inner cylinder contains the lower cam. The upper part of the sliding tube contains the upper cam. This cam is held in place by eight dowel pins retained by a bushing and a retaining ring. During gear extension and retraction, the sliding tube extends down and the two cams engage, centering the nose wheel. When the strut is compressed on the ground, the cams are separated and the nose wheel is free to move for on ground steering.
Teardown Inspection
When the NLG was removed from the airplane, it was determined that the anti-rotation lugs at the top of the shock absorber were not properly seated in the backplate, which indexed and bolted to the inside of the shock strut assembly."
Ten bucks says it's the exact same thing this time.
posted by anthill at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
"The manufacturer of the NLG (nose landing gear) shock absorber is Messier-Dowty....
...The shock absorber assembly consists of two sections: a stationary inner cylinder (piston), which is mounted inside the shock strut assembly, and a sliding tube, which is the lower portion and contains the wheel axle. The upper portion of the inner cylinder contains anti-rotation lugs. During installation of the shock absorber, the anti-rotation lugs are aligned in slots on a backplate, which is mounted inside the top of the shock strut. A nut is then installed to secure the inner cylinder of the shock absorber/gear assembly to the backplate.
The bottom of the inner cylinder contains the lower cam. The upper part of the sliding tube contains the upper cam. This cam is held in place by eight dowel pins retained by a bushing and a retaining ring. During gear extension and retraction, the sliding tube extends down and the two cams engage, centering the nose wheel. When the strut is compressed on the ground, the cams are separated and the nose wheel is free to move for on ground steering.
Teardown Inspection
When the NLG was removed from the airplane, it was determined that the anti-rotation lugs at the top of the shock absorber were not properly seated in the backplate, which indexed and bolted to the inside of the shock strut assembly."
Ten bucks says it's the exact same thing this time.
posted by anthill at 6:17 PM on September 21, 2005
Everyone move to the back of the bus.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:18 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:18 PM on September 21, 2005
Here's relevant narrative from the A320 record:
Examination of the airplane revealed the external 'O' rings in the steering control valve had extruded and by-passed pressurized hydraulic fluid to rotate the nose wheels. This event had occurred before, and the manufacturer had issued a service bulletin. The operator had not complied with the service bulletin, nor were they required to comply with it.
posted by VulcanMike at 6:18 PM on September 21, 2005
Examination of the airplane revealed the external 'O' rings in the steering control valve had extruded and by-passed pressurized hydraulic fluid to rotate the nose wheels. This event had occurred before, and the manufacturer had issued a service bulletin. The operator had not complied with the service bulletin, nor were they required to comply with it.
posted by VulcanMike at 6:18 PM on September 21, 2005
OMG what an awesome landing! WTG!
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
HFS
posted by eddydamascene at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by eddydamascene at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
YES!
posted by icosahedral at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by icosahedral at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
The pilot is awesome.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
Is it bad form to wager on an impending airline crash? If not, Vulcan, let's talk.
But seriously, I hope the news networks have some interns that they can sic onto actual research.
posted by anthill at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
But seriously, I hope the news networks have some interns that they can sic onto actual research.
posted by anthill at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
holy christ
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
Check it, bitch!
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
*applause*
posted by eyeballkid at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by eyeballkid at 6:20 PM on September 21, 2005
Hooray!
One for that pilot's resume reel, undoubtedly.
posted by davejay at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
One for that pilot's resume reel, undoubtedly.
posted by davejay at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
using the tires as a brake- genius! That is flying. I mean landing.
oh, god.
posted by mwhybark at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
oh, god.
posted by mwhybark at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Wow, I'm at work right now, and this entire thing unfolded infront of the Blue. Thanks all for keeping it up to date!
And great news!
posted by phyrewerx at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
And great news!
posted by phyrewerx at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
I don't think it was an anti climax at all.. I think it was great...
A skilled pilot just saved the lives or at least injuries of 145 people...
I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this.. and if you think it was an anti climax, then maybe you've got kind of a warped mind... because how could it be any more climactic? did you WANT a flaming crash?
posted by twiggy at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
A skilled pilot just saved the lives or at least injuries of 145 people...
I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this.. and if you think it was an anti climax, then maybe you've got kind of a warped mind... because how could it be any more climactic? did you WANT a flaming crash?
posted by twiggy at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Touchdown, and the gear held up! Hooray!
posted by zoogleplex at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
The plane may be fine, but I just wore out the refresh button on my browser.
posted by sol at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by sol at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Down. Safe. So relieved.
posted by maxsparber at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by maxsparber at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Goddamn, it's great to see competence. Amazing pilots.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
give that guy a raise.
and please let me have him on my next flight.
posted by chococat at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
and please let me have him on my next flight.
posted by chococat at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Well, that was the most anti-climactic emergency landing I ever heard of. Good on the pilot, hope he gets a bonus.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Dipsomaniac at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
That pilot deserves a beer.
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by I Love Tacos at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
That pilot is awesome. That looked like a softer landing than my car gives me on the road.
posted by evilelvis at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by evilelvis at 6:21 PM on September 21, 2005
Sorry, I was taking a whizz, can you do it again? kthx.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
That was a hell of a landing. Kudos.
posted by vernondalhart at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by vernondalhart at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
I was going to buy a ticket to JFK tonight for a wedding next month. Looks like I still will.
posted by mathowie at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mathowie at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
In Vulcan's article:
Documents from Airbus indicated there have been three (four now, I guess) similar incidents in which A320 airplanes landed with the nose wheels rotated about 90 degrees. Examination of the steering control modules on two of the airplanes revealed extrusion of the selector valve's external seals similar to that found on N628AW. Airbus had attributed the extrusion failures to the lack of a backup seal or the effects of aging on the seals. As a result of these incidents, Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) A320-32-1197 on October 8, 1998, to recommend replacement of the external seals on the steering control module's selector valve on A320 and A321 airplanes within 18 months of the SB's issuance.
posted by anthill at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
Documents from Airbus indicated there have been three (four now, I guess) similar incidents in which A320 airplanes landed with the nose wheels rotated about 90 degrees. Examination of the steering control modules on two of the airplanes revealed extrusion of the selector valve's external seals similar to that found on N628AW. Airbus had attributed the extrusion failures to the lack of a backup seal or the effects of aging on the seals. As a result of these incidents, Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) A320-32-1197 on October 8, 1998, to recommend replacement of the external seals on the steering control module's selector valve on A320 and A321 airplanes within 18 months of the SB's issuance.
posted by anthill at 6:22 PM on September 21, 2005
Snoop dogg emerges from the smokey cabin. . .
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
Looked smooth, but it must have sounded horrendous.
posted by bobo123 at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by bobo123 at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
there's going to be a lot of seats to clean...
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:23 PM on September 21, 2005
YAY!
Wow, the tires burning away were bright. But that was brilliant - granted I wasn't in the plane, but I'd swear I've had bumpier landings where everything worked....
Absolutely wonderful.
posted by kalimac at 6:24 PM on September 21, 2005
Wow, the tires burning away were bright. But that was brilliant - granted I wasn't in the plane, but I'd swear I've had bumpier landings where everything worked....
Absolutely wonderful.
posted by kalimac at 6:24 PM on September 21, 2005
And you know what, since everyone made it out ok, what a cool story for those who were on the plane.
posted by vernondalhart at 6:24 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by vernondalhart at 6:24 PM on September 21, 2005
That was a hell of a good landing... ususally, when I fly, I grip the armrests to the point my knuckles turn white. (I don't like flying.) I just did the same thing in my desk chair watching this.
Simply amazing.
posted by fredosan at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
Simply amazing.
posted by fredosan at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
I'd like to also note the fact that there's a crapload of firefighters there ready to respond in case the landing didn't go as well as it did... I think that's great...
This is, ironically enough, the happiest thing I've seen on the news in for-freaking-ever...
Three cheers for this badass flight crew... I hope none of the passengers are all bitchy about this and complaining -- their lives were saved, if inconvenienced a bit...
posted by twiggy at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
This is, ironically enough, the happiest thing I've seen on the news in for-freaking-ever...
Three cheers for this badass flight crew... I hope none of the passengers are all bitchy about this and complaining -- their lives were saved, if inconvenienced a bit...
posted by twiggy at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
MSNBC just confirmed that the TV sets were turned off during the whole thing.
posted by rxrfrx at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by rxrfrx at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
So, do you think JetBlue will get praise for the landing or demerits for the whacked landing gear?
posted by edgeways at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by edgeways at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
Whew... I think I've had bumpier landings with ALL the gears in working order. That was impressive.
posted by Corky at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Corky at 6:25 PM on September 21, 2005
According to the FAA's Action Directive 99-23-09 the modification of the nose wheel steering control valve that caused 2 of the three above accidents should have been made by all airlines before December 17, 2000. So it might be a new problem, or it might be shoddy maintenance.
Now that the plane is safely on the ground... BRING ON THE LAWYERS, WOOO WO WO WOOOOOOO
posted by anthill at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
Now that the plane is safely on the ground... BRING ON THE LAWYERS, WOOO WO WO WOOOOOOO
posted by anthill at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
If someone famous was on board, I want to hear everything they have to say before anyone else.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by The Jesse Helms at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
That was and is, at this moment, the best ad JetBlue could ever get. No doubt kudos go to the pilot but also the people back at their Operations Control Center.
posted by gazole at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by gazole at 6:26 PM on September 21, 2005
edgeways: JetBlue will get mad demerits for the landing gear.
posted by anthill at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by anthill at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
That was and is, at this moment, the best ad JetBlue could ever get. No doubt kudos go to the pilot but also the people back at their Operations Control Center.
I know you're not saying/implying it... but how long 'til some tinfoil hat wearer claims this was a publicity stunt? Sadly, I bet not too long... hah.
posted by twiggy at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
I know you're not saying/implying it... but how long 'til some tinfoil hat wearer claims this was a publicity stunt? Sadly, I bet not too long... hah.
posted by twiggy at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
"That pilot deserves a beer."
I'm buying, if I ever meet him.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
I'm buying, if I ever meet him.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:27 PM on September 21, 2005
Damn. Just noticed my rice was burning the whole time. Glad that and the front wheel were the extent of the damage.
(But what about my stirfry? If the pilot were really hot stuff he could have figured out how to save that, too!)
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:29 PM on September 21, 2005
(But what about my stirfry? If the pilot were really hot stuff he could have figured out how to save that, too!)
posted by Hobbacocka at 6:29 PM on September 21, 2005
So reading the accident bulletins, it seems that if the hydraulic seals on your Airbus nose wheels go, the fluid leaks and rotates your wheels 90 degrees. Once you hit the runway, they straighten out.
If your mechanics fuck up the anti-rotation lugs on your nose gear, your gear is locked 90 degrees when you hit the runway and your nose gear grinds down to the axles.
Since people are reporting fire on the front tires, it's probably something to do with the anti rotation lugs.
Maintenance mistake. The TV audience will like JetBlue but the FAA/NTSB will be making some phone calls.
posted by anthill at 6:30 PM on September 21, 2005
If your mechanics fuck up the anti-rotation lugs on your nose gear, your gear is locked 90 degrees when you hit the runway and your nose gear grinds down to the axles.
Since people are reporting fire on the front tires, it's probably something to do with the anti rotation lugs.
Maintenance mistake. The TV audience will like JetBlue but the FAA/NTSB will be making some phone calls.
posted by anthill at 6:30 PM on September 21, 2005
I just can't believe how straight that landing was -- not even a wobble off that white center line. Wow.
posted by lisa g at 6:31 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by lisa g at 6:31 PM on September 21, 2005
Airbus issued Service Bulletin (SB) A320-32-1197 on October 8, 1998, to recommend replacement of the external seals on the steering control module's selector valve on A320 and A321 airplanes within 18 months of the SB's issuance.
According to ABC News just now, this plane was manufactured in 2002, so evidently this service bulletin shouldn't have been applicable anyway.
posted by esoterica at 6:31 PM on September 21, 2005
According to ABC News just now, this plane was manufactured in 2002, so evidently this service bulletin shouldn't have been applicable anyway.
posted by esoterica at 6:31 PM on September 21, 2005
Oh yeah.. nobody has mentioned Launchpad McQuack... hmm.
posted by twiggy at 6:32 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by twiggy at 6:32 PM on September 21, 2005
" I just can't believe how straight that landing was -- not even a wobble off that white center line. Wow."
Plane that size has a lot of inertia, and is built with great inherent stability. Takes quite a bit of force to wiggle one off the straight; plus, the pilot could compensate for any induced yaw by varying the left and right main gear brakes.
Everything worked the way it was supposed to. Most excellent!
posted by zoogleplex at 6:35 PM on September 21, 2005
Plane that size has a lot of inertia, and is built with great inherent stability. Takes quite a bit of force to wiggle one off the straight; plus, the pilot could compensate for any induced yaw by varying the left and right main gear brakes.
Everything worked the way it was supposed to. Most excellent!
posted by zoogleplex at 6:35 PM on September 21, 2005
Impressive, perfect success. Plus a small fire! Happy it all worked out.
posted by sdrawkcab at 6:36 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by sdrawkcab at 6:36 PM on September 21, 2005
the national ABC feed just barely captued the cockpit group hug after the plane stopped moving.
posted by mwhybark at 6:37 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by mwhybark at 6:37 PM on September 21, 2005
Just awesome (not the situation, but the ending). I drove under the runways a little after 5:00 today and there were swarms of newsvans and armadas of emergency vehicles heading towards the airport.
posted by jonah at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by jonah at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2005
Actually, watching it again, there WAS a bit of wobble there, looked like the pilot did have to fight some yaw. Remember that plane is pretty large, so it was actually pulling 5 or 10 feet to the right, but it didn't look like so much because of the scale of the image. So, really good job by the pilot.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:38 PM on September 21, 2005
Hooray!
posted by VulcanMike at 6:39 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by VulcanMike at 6:39 PM on September 21, 2005
Well, those passengers have a chance to have their mid-life crises all at once now and hopefully they walk away from this with a bit more perspective.
Kind of like the story of the Canadian tourists who were in New Orleans for the hurricane, managed to loot and survive, then 5 days later got a ride to Texas. On their flight home, the landing gear of their plane blew out on the runway and they had to evacuate by chutes. The flight attendants couldn't understand why they were laughing hysterically.
posted by anthill at 6:43 PM on September 21, 2005
Kind of like the story of the Canadian tourists who were in New Orleans for the hurricane, managed to loot and survive, then 5 days later got a ride to Texas. On their flight home, the landing gear of their plane blew out on the runway and they had to evacuate by chutes. The flight attendants couldn't understand why they were laughing hysterically.
posted by anthill at 6:43 PM on September 21, 2005
Damn, Google news sucks... I saw the story and clicked "all 309 related ยป" and they're all stories about the plane still circling. MetaFilter is much more timely!
posted by rolypolyman at 6:45 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by rolypolyman at 6:45 PM on September 21, 2005
That was probably the worst landing in the history of LAX airport, but some of us here, particularly me would like to buy the pilot a drink and shake his hand.
posted by any major dude at 6:48 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by any major dude at 6:48 PM on September 21, 2005
This live feed from a helicopter had an incredibly good steady-camera video while they were in the air
http://wnbc.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=779676
At the end, it was dark-on-dark, all but lost them in the smog during the actual landing, but I could see the aircraft lights and the bright spot I knew had to be fire or friction, and the slowdown and stop among the emergency flashers.
A bit later and closer now it appears I can see how much of the runway the pilot used up -- about all of it.
The multiple white bars marking the end are not even two plane lengths past the nose of the plane.
posted by hank at 6:54 PM on September 21, 2005
http://wnbc.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=779676
At the end, it was dark-on-dark, all but lost them in the smog during the actual landing, but I could see the aircraft lights and the bright spot I knew had to be fire or friction, and the slowdown and stop among the emergency flashers.
A bit later and closer now it appears I can see how much of the runway the pilot used up -- about all of it.
The multiple white bars marking the end are not even two plane lengths past the nose of the plane.
posted by hank at 6:54 PM on September 21, 2005
I just came home after watching it on CNN at the gym. The commentary didn't seem inane, but then again, I was reading the closed-captions while listening to my iPod. I got a nice rush of adrenaline during the final approach and successful landing -- softer, I must say, than some I've had with fully-functioning landing gear -- and it probably made my workout much more calorie-burning than usual.
Now back to our regularly scheduled hurricane....
posted by pmbuko at 6:58 PM on September 21, 2005
Now back to our regularly scheduled hurricane....
posted by pmbuko at 6:58 PM on September 21, 2005
Yeah he used about 9000 feet. Which is understandable, as it looks like he put the main gear down, then slowed down as much as possible with the nose in the air, so to put the nose gear down at the slowest speed possible to minimize the possibility of the gear snapping off. Then once the main gear was down, it looks like he went very easy on the brakes and let the plane glide to a halt.
posted by zoogleplex at 6:59 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 6:59 PM on September 21, 2005
They're (they being the newscasters and the local "expert") saying on the local news I'm watching that the landing gear on the plane will be fixed, and that it'll probably be back in the air "in a few days".... but will anyone want to fly in it?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:04 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:04 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
Actually, KNBC locally had an NBC employee (Mike Caseli) who was on the plane talking to reporters. They were watching MSNBC (of course) up until about an hour before the plane made its descent.
posted by calwatch at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by calwatch at 7:05 PM on September 21, 2005
Damn. Most capital.
posted by gramschmidt at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by gramschmidt at 7:06 PM on September 21, 2005
any major dude:
But ... he's got a drinking problem.
posted by donpedro at 7:17 PM on September 21, 2005
But ... he's got a drinking problem.
posted by donpedro at 7:17 PM on September 21, 2005
If you watch carefully, the pilot didn't use reverse thrust or spolers because it would cause more downward pressure on the nose gear.
posted by SirOmega at 7:26 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by SirOmega at 7:26 PM on September 21, 2005
The pictures show the passengers getting off using a regular set of plane steps!
No inflato-slides? What a rip-off!
posted by squalor at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2005
No inflato-slides? What a rip-off!
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posted by squalor at 7:33 PM on September 21, 2005
I imagine those slides cost thousands of dollars to deploy.
I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is flying by next week, they probably just have to bolt on a new nose wheel.
posted by Mitheral at 7:47 PM on September 21, 2005
I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is flying by next week, they probably just have to bolt on a new nose wheel.
posted by Mitheral at 7:47 PM on September 21, 2005
I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you.
posted by Zonker at 7:54 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by Zonker at 7:54 PM on September 21, 2005 [1 favorite]
The flight crew wins.
Zonker, however, wins also.
I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is flying by next week, they probably just have to bolt on a new nose wheel.
Actually, the plane's almost certainly headed to the hanger for a bit. For one thing, the FAA and NTSB are going to want to take apart the nose gear to figure out what locked it, secondly, if the plane was still heavy when it landed, it's an automatic D check. At minimum, the plane's going to get a rebuilt nose gear and a very careful look at the main gear and brakes, and probably new tires all around -- that yaw on landing probably ate a bunch of rubber.
posted by eriko at 8:04 PM on September 21, 2005
Zonker, however, wins also.
I wouldn't be surprised if the plane is flying by next week, they probably just have to bolt on a new nose wheel.
Actually, the plane's almost certainly headed to the hanger for a bit. For one thing, the FAA and NTSB are going to want to take apart the nose gear to figure out what locked it, secondly, if the plane was still heavy when it landed, it's an automatic D check. At minimum, the plane's going to get a rebuilt nose gear and a very careful look at the main gear and brakes, and probably new tires all around -- that yaw on landing probably ate a bunch of rubber.
posted by eriko at 8:04 PM on September 21, 2005
Guess I'm late to the show :o
Actually, I suspect they didn't emergency evacuate because they were pretty sure there was no danger of fire and it's well known that the panic and rush and the slides carry a high chance of broken ankles and heart attacks.
Glad the landing worked out.
posted by azazello at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2005
Actually, I suspect they didn't emergency evacuate because they were pretty sure there was no danger of fire and it's well known that the panic and rush and the slides carry a high chance of broken ankles and heart attacks.
Glad the landing worked out.
posted by azazello at 8:23 PM on September 21, 2005
So they saved money and have a good reason for doing so, a win-win.
posted by Mitheral at 8:25 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by Mitheral at 8:25 PM on September 21, 2005
.
Metafilter makes me feel so much closer to life...
.
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posted by pwedza at 10:05 PM on September 21, 2005
Metafilter makes me feel so much closer to life...
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posted by pwedza at 10:05 PM on September 21, 2005
Another hi-res photo, of the plane in the air and a nice view of the landing gear.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:55 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by kirkaracha at 10:55 PM on September 21, 2005
Couldn't they have flown somewhere wet in the time they spent burning off fuel? They could have landed on a damp runway somewhere and taken the edge off that blaze of magnesium alloy...
posted by marvin at 11:33 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by marvin at 11:33 PM on September 21, 2005
So do they not just dump fuel anymore, or is there another reason why they spent a while burning it off instead of just venting it?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:54 PM on September 21, 2005
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:54 PM on September 21, 2005
marvin: Couldn't they have flown somewhere wet in the time they spent burning off fuel? They could have landed on a damp runway somewhere and taken the edge off that blaze of magnesium alloy...
I was sorta wondering if they shouldn't have just flown it to JFK to burn off the fuel.
posted by Swervo at 12:57 AM on September 22, 2005
I was sorta wondering if they shouldn't have just flown it to JFK to burn off the fuel.
posted by Swervo at 12:57 AM on September 22, 2005
Although there was nothing about the incident that suggested terrorism, after passengers and crew walked away from the plane, every piece of luggage from the flight was placed in a neat grid on the runway and subjected to a rigorous search.
A bomb-sniffing dog took a whiff of every bag and found nothing unusual. The luggage was later rounded up for normal handling. Authorities had no official comment on the procedure. (from NBC4)
WTF?
posted by Joeforking at 3:17 AM on September 22, 2005
A bomb-sniffing dog took a whiff of every bag and found nothing unusual. The luggage was later rounded up for normal handling. Authorities had no official comment on the procedure. (from NBC4)
WTF?
posted by Joeforking at 3:17 AM on September 22, 2005
marvin writes "They could have landed on a damp runway somewhere and taken the edge off that blaze of magnesium alloy..."
Magnesium will burn under water once you get it lit, a damp run way wouldn't provide enough cooling to prevent the initial ignition but would decrease the braking effectiveness of the main gear increasing stopping distance.
posted by Mitheral at 6:58 AM on September 22, 2005
Magnesium will burn under water once you get it lit, a damp run way wouldn't provide enough cooling to prevent the initial ignition but would decrease the braking effectiveness of the main gear increasing stopping distance.
posted by Mitheral at 6:58 AM on September 22, 2005
If you watch carefully, the pilot didn't use reverse thrust or spoilers because it would cause more downward pressure on the nose gear.
posted by SirOmega at 10:26 PM EST on September 21 [!]
That sounds right to me, but how come there was no foam on the runway? Or is that only used in movies??
Anyhow...fantastic feat, that genius pilot is going to need a new liver by the time he collects on all those drinks.
posted by Skygazer at 8:28 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by SirOmega at 10:26 PM EST on September 21 [!]
That sounds right to me, but how come there was no foam on the runway? Or is that only used in movies??
Anyhow...fantastic feat, that genius pilot is going to need a new liver by the time he collects on all those drinks.
posted by Skygazer at 8:28 AM on September 22, 2005
After reading Joeforking's excerpt, I, too, wish to say
WHAT
THE
FUCK?
Absolutely fucking ridiculous. Terrorists turned the landing gear sideways with ther luggage. Jesus fucking bat piss cock cunt fuck p8p 9#*p 8(#[p}#_(u[0*U@(*
posted by gramschmidt at 10:03 AM on September 22, 2005
WHAT
THE
FUCK?
Absolutely fucking ridiculous. Terrorists turned the landing gear sideways with ther luggage. Jesus fucking bat piss cock cunt fuck p8p 9#*p 8(#[p}#_(u[0*U@(*
posted by gramschmidt at 10:03 AM on September 22, 2005
Tell us how you really feel, gram! :) Yeah, that's pretty stupid and paranoid, isnt' it.
posted by zoogleplex at 10:10 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by zoogleplex at 10:10 AM on September 22, 2005
I was sorta wondering if they shouldn't have just flown it to JFK to burn off the fuel.
Perhaps JFK is a busier airport?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2005 [1 favorite]
Perhaps JFK is a busier airport?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:15 AM on September 22, 2005 [1 favorite]
I was sorta wondering if they shouldn't have just flown it to JFK to burn off the fuel.
Actually because of the position of the landing gear, it could not be retracted.
Flying with gear down lowers the attainable flight ceiling and increases drag, both of which mean they wouldn't have enough fuel to reach JFK.
posted by mazola at 10:29 AM on September 22, 2005
Actually because of the position of the landing gear, it could not be retracted.
Flying with gear down lowers the attainable flight ceiling and increases drag, both of which mean they wouldn't have enough fuel to reach JFK.
posted by mazola at 10:29 AM on September 22, 2005
Short, firsthand account of being on Flight 292 from the folks at Apartment Therapy. Includes a picture taken in the cabin.
posted by ooga_booga at 11:41 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by ooga_booga at 11:41 AM on September 22, 2005
Dude, that's an account of being on some other Jet Blue flight.
posted by Mid at 11:55 AM on September 22, 2005
posted by Mid at 11:55 AM on September 22, 2005
D'oh! My mistake.
posted by ooga_booga at 2:10 PM on September 22, 2005
posted by ooga_booga at 2:10 PM on September 22, 2005
THey said they dont use foam anymore because it actually doesnt help stop any fires, and it is a real pain in the ass to clean up afterwards.
posted by Iax at 2:31 PM on September 22, 2005
posted by Iax at 2:31 PM on September 22, 2005
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