[ab01]

I don't know how heavy he was departing LAX, but if he was at max TKOF weight (870,000#), he would have had his hands full. You need to get down to max landing weight, or about 630,000 #. For certification, every commercial acft demonstrates its ability to land at the max tkof weight (and stop on the runway), but it is not a desirable situation. If he had lost another engine on the same side, he would have had to use a LOT of rudder, as well as dumping fuel immediately. As you know, more weight= more power required= more rudder + a turn towards the good engines. At 630,000# (max landing weight), it flys quite well on two engines. My problem with his decision is that he had very few places to divert to if he had lost the second engine. A great circle route places him well over some very desolate, nasty places. The North Atlantic isn't much better.

[FreedomCalls]

My problem with his decision is that he had very few places to divert to if he had lost the second engine. A great circle route places him well over some very desolate, nasty places.

Click on the link in my post #53. It shows the GC route from LAX to LHR. At no point in the entire route are they more than 60 minutes away from an airfield capable of handling a 747.