Posted on 09/21/2005 4:21:43 PM PDT by kingu
A Jet Blue aircraft just did a low altitude flyby of Long Beach airport after reporting some concern with their forward gear. The television helicopter caught an image of it - the gear is turned sideways and tilted.
Aircraft is heading out towards the ocean to drop fuel, will turn around, and attempt a 'soft field' landing, keeping the nose up as long as possible.
http://www4.passur.com/lax.html
interactive map of planes in and outbound of L
AX area
I haven't found this flight yet..
Questions for anyone in the know:
Are JetBlue mechanics unionized?
Is it possible this problem is sabotage?
"I'm a pilot."
On MSNBC, the 'expert' said that this type of landing (f'd up front gear) should have high degree of success. Would you agree?
I have
Praying for as safe a landing as possible...
Rita Crosby!!??
J/K - that is incredibly low, and strong. Scary!
Are they tryping to put foam on any of the runway?
Wouldn't that help?
I'll bet he's chompin' at the bit right now.
the gear is down to slow the plane down, and burn fuel faster...they cant dump fuel from this model
An amateurs opinion. The nose gear will collapse due to increased stresses but the Captain will do a great job and all will be well. And I've said a prayer that that is what happens.
by the gulf of santa catalina
8 minutes
They just said they will land in 15 minutes.
Cant imagine having family on that plane. I can relate. My husband just called after landing safely in Chicago. My heart dropped when the story broke on Fox, knowing he was in the air. I pray for all involved. God is with them.
LOL! That turns a touch and go into a catastrophic crash if everthing won't straighen out.
One chance. Lower fuel, raise the nose, fly the ils slow and low.
Thats it.
Try here for live webcast.
http://www.cbs2.com/
Not!
Thanks for the ping Kyla. Hope & pray they land safely.
It's nice to hear the local LA NBC anchors, I miss them. Sorry it has to be under these circunstances.
Roger. Ref post 374.
ABC now interviewing Michael Barr, USC Aviation Safety Expert who also confirms that same situation. A320 has no fuel dump so the alternative is to maximize drag (cut in flaps, keep gear down, throttle up engines) to burn off fuel as rapidly as possible. Once the aircraft is below maximum landing weight, they can make the call as to just when they want to bring it in.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.