747 with single-engine failure safely returns to Dulles

Fox news Alert ^ | 25 May 07 | dcbryan1

[MindBender26]

Nothing would ever reach the ground. Jet fuel is highly refined kerosene. It would evaporate long before it got down to ground level.

[magslinger]

Is that a B-52 going out or a B-52 coming back?

Big weight difference.

[ansel12]

“When I was in the Air force I thought an aircraft losing an engine in flight was routine. At least most of the ones I flew on had it happen.”

Makes sense, it would be interesting if I could find out if the media made a dramatic mention of the story.

I remember thinking that if we lost a second engine that it would qualify as an adventure, ( I like collecting adventures).

[Red Badger]

I never knew if losing one engine was a big deal or not.

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

[JamesP81]

Can’t a 747 fly with mutiple engine failure? Just wondering.

I think Boeing intended for it to be able to marginally fly on two. It should be fine with three still going.

[Calvin Locke]

Yeah, well, try telling that to Knute Rockne.

[airplaneguy]

This is not entirely true. In the jet I fly we use about 60% N1 during landing on both engines. A triple engine failure in a 747 would be an extraordinary emergency.

Can you forward the engineering Physics and wind tunnel data that you used to determine other wise?

[b4its2late]

DC10’s have 3 engines I think. One up on the tail.

[posterchild]

Good on BA! Free drinks would be nice. After my 1 engine flt UA only told us they made hotel reservations for us at a hotel a half hour away from the airport. After taking a cab there it turned out there was no reservation and no room. Customer service matters.

[Sooth2222]

I think Boeing intended for it to be able to marginally fly on two. It should be fine with three still going.

I believe that is why the 747 is used trans-Pacific, there are not many places to land. It should do fine with one or even two out.

[19th LA Inf]

A B-52 can fly sluggishly with 4 engines out. It has 8

Remember the B-36, which actually had 10 engines- - 6 pusher recips and 4 jets ("6 turning and 4 burning")?

[CholeraJoe]

I can't begin to tell you how many in-flight emrgencies my ambulances responded to in the USAF. Seemed like 3 per week.

"B-1B heavy, tail number 0768 reports hydraulic failure. Declaring emergency, 4 souls on board. 14,000 lbs fuel. No category 1 assets. Landing runway 090. Foxtrot will handle commentary. Ambulance 6 contact Chief 1 on Fire/Safety channel for instructions."

[ansel12]

“If it’s the only one you got, it’s a BIG deal!...........”

LOL, I’m so indifferent to aircraft that I probably didn’t even know how many engines it had until we lost one and the subject came up.

[RockinRight]

The 747’s the big one with the humpback and 4 engines. Don’t see as many of them anymore except on international on(usually Asia or Australia) flights.

[CholeraJoe]

Coming back. Buffs can’t even take off at full fuel load. They have to hit a tanker after becoming airborne.

[Phsstpok]

1 engine out on a 747 is hardly a cause for prayers.

I beg to differ.  I say a prayer whenever I take off with all engines running.  I trust the Bernoulli principle to function as advertised, but I can't help thinking about the fact that these things are built and now mostly maintained by the lowest bidder. 

[Not A Snowbird]

That’s why they’ve got multiple engines on those things. Shouldn’t be a problem.

[P-Marlowe]

A Boeing 747 is designed to glide if all 4 engines fail. If this happens at 38,000 feet the plane will glide for 120 miles - losing altitude all the time - before landing (or crashing!).
Source(s): www.boeing.com

[CholeraJoe]

When I was a baby, I was awakened at 4:30 every morning to the B-36s warming up at Ellsworth AFB, SD. My father swears that’s why I’m an early riser.

[Calvin Locke]

There's an old joke about two [whomever] on an airliner. Half way across the ocean, a stew comes on the intercom and says "There's no need for alarm, but one of the four engines on the craft has quit. It will just add two hours to our arrival time." The two guys start complaining between themselves about the inconvenience.

A short while later, another engine goes out, adding four hours to the trip.

Then the third goes out adding 10 hours.

One guy turns to the other and says "I hope the fourth engine doesn't quit, or we're never going to come down."