Pilot trying emergency landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport Plane landed safely)

Houston Chronicle ^ | 05/02/2006

[oxcart]

Houston firefighters are standing by for the emergency landing of a of a 50-passenger jet at Bush Intercontinental Airport, an airport spokesman said today.

The Continental Express Embraer 145 took off between 4 and 4:20 p.m., said Rich Fernandez, a spokesman for the Houston Airport System.

``It blew a tire on takeoff and is circling the airport now,'' Fernandez said. ``I do not know what airline this is.''

The Embraer 145 is known as a ``regional jet,'' Fernandez said.

[JennysCool]

Thanks!

[trubluolyguy]

Where two or more are gathered, and I imagine a lot of passengers are praying pretty hard right now.

[oxcart]

Thanks for the live shots!

[calljack]

I know this is a stupid question but, why don't they fly to their destination and have the emergency landing there? If it all works out the people are where they wanted to be and if it dosen't then they are screwed anyway.

[Bender2]

Channel 5 in Dallas has this on. A retired Air Traffic Controller and pilot says it appears either the pilot or co-pilot of the plane hit the brakes on takeoff, shredding the tires and only leaving the rims on the gear under the left wing.

They will attempt a landing on the right and front gear while holding the left rims off the ground as long as possible. The plane will experience severe torque when the left rims hit the runway. The plane will skid and there is also the danger the left gear will collapse and damage the left wings. There is a possibility the wings will collapse also. Plus even burning off as much fuel as possible, there is still a huge chance of fire.

A terrible situation for the 45 passengers and crew of three.

God, please help these souls...

[don-o]

So the tires blew up on takeoff, right?

[Ramius]

using up fuel (can't they dump it?)

I don't know about all airplanes, but I think it is generally true that smaller planes are not set up to dump fuel. Large heavy planes can take off with much more weight than they can safely land with, so they have to be able to dump excess fuel weight. Smaller planes tend to be able to land with a full load anyway.

Any pilots want to calibrate me on that?

[trubluolyguy]

That's what I understand.

[Rte66]

They have 2000 miles worth.

[don-o]

Thanks for posting the comment and info. Hope the pilot has a LOT of seat time.

[MississippiMan]

Wow, I've flown those jets from Bush many times! Prolly a Continental commuter.

Prayers!

MM

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Can't believe no one has said this yet....

"Houston, we have a problem!"

[MeanWestTexan]

The issue is not so much weight as "fuel for the fire" in the event of a tumble.

The big issues are: Front gear or one of the back? Both tires or one? Any damage from tire?

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Praying for their safety!

[TomGuy]

Last year we watched an excellent pilot land a jet that had a messed up forward landing gear (it was twisted).

He kept it straight down the mark on the runway.

Let's hope and pray this pilot has a similar good landing.


Sparks on fuel could be worst enemy in these situations, per commentator on KHOU.

[Rte66]

Yes, they've had a crew out there cleaning it all up - the full rubber from the tires and "other debris," local TV is saying.

They hand pick up the largest parts (will be part of any investigation), then sweep, then power wash.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BTA3161

Above URL is tracking flight in 3d.

[Bender2]

Front and right gear seem fine, but left gear appears to be only rims...

[Smogger]

The big issues are: Front gear or one of the back? Both tires or one? Any damage from tire?

Left rear. Both tires completely gone. Damage from the blowout? Unknown.