Fuel Dump Inconsistent with Lack of Distress Call

copycat's litter box ^ | 11/12/01 | copycat

[copycat]

The latest from government bureaucrats like Pataki, and their willing accomplices here at FR is that "Since the pilot dumped his fuel, it must have been an accident."

Unfortunately for those who would argue this theory, we have already learned that there were NO distress calls or unusual communications of any kind.

Pilots wwould dump fuel if they had a mechanical failure and planned to return to the airport. What are the odds that a pilot would dump his fuel and NOT decide to inform the tower of his decision? (Corollary question...How easy is it to radio the tower of trouble?)

In addition, eyewitness accounts clearly state that the right wing of the plane was seen to explode and take out the tail. An accident? I think not...

[freeasinbeer]

the A300 CAN'T dump fuel. It is not possible with that model of aircraft.

[copycat]

The mechnical failure involved an electrical problem, making it impossible for the pilot to contact the tower.

IMHO, you're reaching just as far as I am.

[Poohbah]

Having fired the GAU-2B during daylight, and watched fuel dumps from various angles relative to the sun, I can attest that a minigun burst looks a LOT different from a fuel dump.

[copycat]

Dumping fuel would be the first response to any onboard emergency.

A fully fueled plane can't land safely with all the fuel on-board. Too heavy.

The fuel dump story has been debunked. Chances are the fuel in Jamaica bay came from the detached engine and/or wing.

[mfulstone]

I'VE GOT IT! I'VE GOT IT!

Pilot begins dumping fuel. Copilot informs pilot you cannot dump fuel on an A300.

Pilot says "then what is this lever?"

Copilot says "That's the emergency engine release..."

That was just BEFORE the stinger missile fired by a right wing, pro-life militia member hit the plane.

Details at 11:00...

[Fulbright]

The pilot probably dumped the fuel in order to minimize the inferno on the ground. What dumping fuel may have to do with a mechanical problem is not clear to me.

[GOPJ]

You're good. Nice original thinking...

[pgkdan]

I said the same thing to my co-worker this afternoon when II heard that there was a fuel dump. No distress call but he dumps his fuel. Something fishy there. I hope Bush doesn't let the FBI and FAA pull a TWA Flight 800 here.

[pchuck]

Believe it or not, not every action taken by our government and or our airlines is not a conspiracy. Sometimes things jsut happen, such as accidents and mistakes that dont seem to be easily understood. What benifit do we have now to cover up or take part in an airline crash?

The tin foil hat crowd will see a conspiracy in everything. They will not believe that some things are just accidental. I don't know what happened, we will just have to wait and see. I'm not going to believe an MSNBC resident expert for goodness sake, they have about as good a track record as the tin foil hat crowd.

BTW, nice handle. It must be hard to be a husker fan in Texas. It could be worse, I guess you could be a husker fan in Oklahoma. I'm in Omaha.

[Fulbright]

There was an article on page one of the January 2, 2001 edition of the Wall Street Journal about major problems with General Electric's CF-6 engines. Somebody probably should look it up and post it.

[pgkdan]

What benifit do we have now to cover up or take part in an airline crash?

The same benefit they had when they were two stepping all around the Anthrax letters. Trying to avoid a panic. Can't let the dirty mob know what's really going on. Thinking like that got two postal workers killed. The Airlines and the gov't want to do everything possible to keep the public flying through the holidays.

[copycat]

Thanks, I needed that...

[Sender]

Best theory I've heard all day!

[Uni-Poster]

If they did have a major engine failure/explosion 2-3 mins after takeoff, the resonably low altitude would not give them much time at all to start emergency procedures, call on radio, etc. The pilot whould inact all emergency procedures to regain control of the aircraft before thinking of calling it in. If it was an engine explosion or separation that ruptured the wing or fuselage, the aircraft would have certainly went out of control, with the pilots occupied trying to regain it. Losing an engine would instantly throw off the weight of the aircraft, not to mention the instant yaw from only having thrust on one side of the plane. At a cruising altitude and speedthere is time to try to recover. At a lower altitude 5000-6000 ft, that would only leave a few seconds to try to accomplish this, made more difficut by having less airspeed. Losing radio contact in this situation is not so extraodinary because of the lack of time. It would be like you having a tire blow out on your car and going into a spin, your first reaction is to gain control of the vehicle, not call your wife and tell her your spinning.

Just my 2 cents

[copycat]

The same benefit they had when they were two stepping all around the Anthrax letters. Trying to avoid a panic.

Anthrax info was trickled out one drop at a time, one drop a day over three weeks in an effort to minimize panic.

The Fedgov has a motive to minimize today's happenings. Any further hits to the airline industry could really hurt the US economy.

If I were in their shoes, I may do the same thing.

[jlogajan]

I haven't heard anything about a distress call. Is it possible there was one?

You're the pilot. You make the call when you have time. No one is there to save you but yourself, and no one is coming to help. Any call is after you get all your pressing business completed and have a moment to spare.

[copycat]

If they did have a major engine failure/explosion 2-3 mins after takeoff, the resonably low altitude would not give them much time at all to start emergency procedures, call on radio, etc.

I am under the impression that radioing the tower of a Mayday is as easy as opening your mouth and speaking. That is why I asked how easy it is to communicate. Perhaps someone will address that question soon.

[FITZ]

They will not believe that some things are just accidental.

There is a Jihad declared against America. The ostriches don't want to believe it yet.

[Patria One]

Makes absolute sense to me. Thank you.

Is there a fuel jettison rate for large aircraft?

Also wondering if the plane was really delayed for an hour because there were engine problems.

Haven't kept up except piecemeal.