Posted on 07/06/2013 12:02:24 PM PDT by FreedomPoster
In this crash, the entire empenage was separated from the airplane near the initial impact site. The vertical stabiler and both horizontal stabs can be seen near runway centerline less than 1000' down the runway. The photos of the airplane at rest provide a clear view of the pressure bulkhead as the remaining structure at the rear of the plane. From the way the tail was ripped off, it seemed to be at a high body angle at initial contact. I'd guess at least a late go-around was initiated, posibly a late go-around without sufficient power applied with very high AOA and subsequent tail strike. The only other thing that could produce such a high body angle would be less-than landing flaps selected, but that should produce considerable automatic aural warning from the airplane. Less-than landing flaps would also produce a different pilots visual reference picture.
This accident appears at first glance to be a near repeat of the Korean Airlines crash at Guam. An inop ground station ILS which was not accounted for by the pilots. In Guam, the pilots flew a perfectly good airplane into the ground as a result.
Korean Airlines (not Asiana) had a notorious history of co-pilots refusing to countermand the Captain even when he was wrong. This was causal in the Guam crash, in a 747 freighter crash in London, and several others. I suspect those cultural influences exist at Asiana airlines also. The investigation will surely tell.
P.S. What’s the decision height at SFO and why didn’t the pilot initiate a missed approach?
Yes, that is obvious now, but I was sure the initial pics of the tail-end pressure bulkhead showed it intact.
I just assumed that in later images, the rescuers/firemen had broken through the thin material to check for bodies from the outside of the wreckage.
bttt
Believe me, I know more about Boeing and Airbus aircraft then you will ever know, and...I am not bragging or ego playing. Your staement concerning the passengers is too premature. The latest news indicates many passengers were injured seriously, most with severe burns. Number two, both pilots on approach had no emergency or distress contact with the tower on flight approach. That tells me, that an immediate incident occurred, like a wind shear problem or such that cause a situation they could not react fast enough to correct. By the way...Asiana Air is rated as one of the best airlines in the world. Still will wait until we hear from Boeing and the Asiana flight crew & the flight attendents.
60 unaccounted for ... prayers
Photo from the starboard side of the aircraft shows the engine next to the fuselage. My guess would be that is the source of the fire not an internal one.
That bulkhead is not thin material, is very strong...and was blown backwards and apart from something that occured in the cabin.
Oh, no. I hope they didn’t get trapped on the plane.
I saw that picture of some passengers bringing luggage away form the airplane and wondered how anyone could stop for their bag.
Poorly paid but with groping benefits.
No fog to obscure the landing. I live a few miles from SFO, beautiful clear day. Planes land from the south bay, where it’s clear. Light fog/overcast in Pacifica/Daly City to the northwest, far from the airport. We heard a loud boom at the time, presumably after the plane struck and the engine burst into flames on the ground. Confirmed by eyewitnesses on site, the boom happened after it slid into the dirt. As I said, beautiful clear sky.
Once the engine tore away from its pylon, the fuel line that supplys fuel to the engine becomes disconnected. The number two engine did not cause the fire that erupted in the cabin. I have no answer....but....the engine was not the cause of a major fire.
EWWWW
That butch SF fire chief looks like she’d enjoy a TSA job.
She got all dressed up to pretend she fought the plane fire... I bet she can’t even walk in that gear and could never carry me out of a burning building. She rose up through the ranks through dispatch...
Regarding airline ops at SFO
AA - Cancelled all SFO departures rest of the day.
DL - Several cancels and some major reschedules till later in evening.
WN - Cancelled all SFO departures rest of the day
UA - 69 cancels to far. Will attempt to operate 3/4 of redeye bank
US - All departures cancelled except 2 red-eyes
VX - Cancelled SFO departures through 6pm
From airliners
It’s called affirmative action.
It’s sick and wrong. I hope I didn’t go to high school with her; her name sounds familiar (I’m an SF native too, like she is).
Actually they are.
It's the first thing I thought of, but now I don't, since the previous accident involved Rolls Royce engines, and I hear this one had Pratts.
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2 Boeing 777 accidents similar, but plane has 'fantastic' safety record, experts say
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2-boeing-777-accidents-similar-but-plane-has-fantastic-safety-record-experts-say-214495141.html?story=2%20Boeing%20777%20accidents%20similar,%20but%20plane%20has%20'fantastic'%20safety%20record,%20experts%20say
I’m in San Jose and all the local TV stations (there is 5 total) are carrying this event live now and everyone of them is also reporting 60 unaccounted for.
By the sounds of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a bombshell report later stating the death toll now is 62. I pray to go not as my prayers go out to all involved.
Anybody know who handles Asiana at SFO?
I assume it is contract.
Perhaps Pacific above the wing, and ASIG below?
That’s rather a cruel thing to say about the chief. I have personally worked with her at Emergency Communications Department when it was built, years before she became chief. Very pleasant woman, and quite knowledgeable and experienced. She knows what she is doing.
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