747 with single-engine failure safely returns to Dulles

Fox news Alert ^ | 25 May 07 | dcbryan1

[Gay State Conservative]

When I left Viet Nam in 1971, we flew out on a four engine plane. I can’t remember what it was.

I think I read somewhere that civilian airlines were often used to transport troops to and from RVN.Assuming that you weren't on a military aircraft it was probably a DC-8 or a 707...both of which had 4 engines.

[Squawk 8888]

There was an exchange between ATC and a pilot because they slotted a B-52 with an engine out ahead of him. The pilot said, “No! Not the dreaded 7-engine landing!”

[patton]

Yes, I know. ;)

[Squawk 8888]

Nowadays with the new materials used in brake pads even that is a non-issue. For many airlines it’s becoming SOP to *not* use reversers on landing.

[Squawk 8888]

The rules on fuel dumping ensure that it won’t reach the ground. Above 10,000 feet it all vaporizes long before then.

ATC once turned me back because my intended track was under a fuel dump that took place half an hour earlier.

[Squawk 8888]

Dumping, natch. The effect of unburnt hydrocarbons is the reason they put catalytic converters in cars.

[philetus]

Video of DC 10 at http://www.Flightlevel350.com

http://www.flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_McDonnell_Douglas_DC-10-Airline_Biman_Bangladesh_Aviation_Video-6587.html

[Squawk 8888]

If it's the only one you got, it's a BIG deal!

On the singles I fly, the propeller is actually a cooling fan. If it stops, the pilot really sweats a lot.

[ken5050]

FYI..aviation related..go to newsweek.com...click on "Airshow - photos"..neat pics of a WW II Lancaster bomber landing a few days ago on LI, as well as pics of the USAF Thunderbirds..who, BTW, have two very hot, HOT pilots..

Enjoy..and a Happy memorial Day

[Red Badger]

Same for helicopters.......

[Squawk 8888]

That was an Air Transat A330. They lost all fuel to a leak. There seems to be something about Canadian pilots and BIG gliders- back in the 1980s a 767 with both engines out managed to put down on an abandoned runway that had been converted to a drag strip.

[Squawk 8888]

Yeah but helicopters don’t fly. They’re so ugly the earth repels then :-p

[Squawk 8888]

Thanks for that. If you’re a WWII aircraft fan you might want to check out Canadian Warplane Heritage, which is based at CYHM and puts on a great show every year.

Another one almost in my backyard is the Great War Flying Museum in Brampton, ON. They have some restored WWI aircraft and in September they hold a fly-in for vintage and replica aircraft- info is at http://www.greatwarflyingmuseum.com/

[Robert A Cook PE]

True, but wasn’t there a Chinese 747 grounded in Europe that had been taking off and landing on regular flights with only 3 engines operable.

Ends up the 4th had been dead for several days before the Germans caught it.

[patton]

Me, I will stick to landing on runways, given a choice.

...if you can reuse the airframe, it was a GREAT landing.

LOL.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

A Chinese airline got grounded in Germany, it had been flying revenue flights with one down for weeks.

IIRC, a British Air pilot got a ration for pressing on after losing an engine shortly after take off and proceeding to London. Apparently it puts stress on the airframe to fly with only three engines.

[missnry]

The Gimli Glider - that’s a GREAT READ!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider

[LonePalm]

My flight instructor once tried to trick me into landing on a drag strip next to a valid runway. I refused.

'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Squawk 8888]

There’s a warning in the published data for the St-Hubert airport in Montréal- it seems they don’t like it when people land on the taxiway that parallels the main runway.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Depends on how far down the drag strip the cars are when you land ...

And assumes you can land in a 1/4 mile plus a slowdown lane.

(To take off, do you get penalized for leavinf before the green light?)