Posted on 07/12/2013 6:49:29 PM PDT by PotatoHeadMick
A fire on a parked Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner plane has forced both runways at Heathrow Airport to close.
No injuries were reported and nobody was on board the aircraft, which was stationed at a remote parking stand.
Ethiopian Airlines said it had been there for more than eight hours before smoke was detected, adding that "the cause of the incident is under investigation by all concerned."
A spokesperson for Heathrow said the plane suffered an internal fire and that the airport's emergency services attended the scene.
Ethiopian Airlines was the first airline to resume using the 787 after Boeing temporarily withdrew the Dreamliner from service earlier this year for modifications amid concerns that batteries on board could cause fires.
(Excerpt) Read more at uk.news.yahoo.com ...
OK....I thought it was the 4 engine job. I didn’t bother to look it up, but I alway thought that’s what they’d be flying on the trans-atlanic routes.
I suppose the fact that most of the passengers on a flight from Jakarta to the UAE are domestic servants being shipped off for two years of bonded labor naturally imbues a sense of contempt in the airline and the staff. But it can be quite shocking to see the disdain with which the Indonesian passengers are treated.
The flight attendants are a multi-national bunch and proud of their many language skills but I have never met one who could speak even basic Indonesian (a language spoken by a quarter of a billion people, so it ain’t chopped liver). They are downright rude to the Indonesian passengers most of whom are from small villages and have never flown before so they do cause hassle but it’s amazing how the contempt spreads to all passengers.
On an Etihad flight I pointed out to the attendant that my seat did not recline, she peremptorily told me that none of the seats reclined, we’d just have to enjoy a twelve hour flight in the middle of the night sitting upright.
The attendant came around before dinner and asked me what I wanted to drink, I asked for as I always do on any flight a gin and tonic and a glass of red wine for dinner, she told me I could have two drinks but only the same type and I’d get them at the same time.
Now, after switching at Abu Dhabi for an Airbus to Dublin the difference was as night and day. There were smiles, friendly assistance, food and drink whenever and whatever I wanted, nothing to good for us. The passengers were mostly Europeans or Arabs.
I’ll say there’s a hierarchy alright.
I think you’re right. They only use the four engine jobs on o/s flights of long duration. I believe only Boeing 767/777 are ok’d for o/s flights of over three hours. Boeing had what’s called ETOPS (we like to say: Engine Turns Or Passengers Swim) but it means: ETOPS, Extended Operations, and En Route Alternate Airports - says that it can go 180 minutes without engines to the nearest airport three hours away.
Hydraulics for the landing gear on several Airbus models (320, 330 & 380) often seem very loud and “different”. This is from an old helicopter pilot who listens to ALL noises on aircraft.
(except rock or rap “music” over the entertainment system)
ETOPS certification is not unique to either Boeing aircraft or the FAA.
Rumor has it this was a coffee maker or water heater left on in the galley. Boiled away water and the overheat protection failed. Burned up the galley.
Rumor only.
That APU hydrazine ?
Ethiopians have a Dreamliner ? Seems like just yesterday they couldn’t afford a chicken....
Stay safe !
Another rumor. APU power distribution cables running along the roof line overheated when the plane was powered up to get ready for a flight.
Due to the unique barrell roll technology of the 787 this looks like the first hull loss of a dreamliner.
The 787 is a good example for the victory of MBAs over engineers. The dreamliner is a mess.
Ethiopian got these planes almost for free cause they were among the few willing to buy the overweight early production models (SN < 63).
Looks like the Swamp Cooler motor went bad to me. They’ll have to roll down the windows on the next flight out.
Na, a little Bondo, a little sanding and a little Primer and that Jet will be good as new.
The will have to rename it The Nightmareliner though.
These stingers look a little roasted. It’s a hull loss for sure. Otherwise they would have to replace the entire section cause you can’t replace the stingers in a integral one piece design.
http://www.newairplane.com/787/design_highlights/#/visionary-design/composites/one-piece-barrel-construction
There are various reports that the fire started under the interior panels. Looks like another wiring mess to me. Boeing already had some wiring issues on the 787.
Didn’t say it was exclusive to Boeing, just said Boeing had the certification.
That's what you wrote giving the impression that ETOPS is exclusive to Boeing which it isn't.
You also wrote:
I believe only Boeing 767/777 are ok’d for o/s flights of over three hours.
and
They only use the four engine jobs on o/s flights of long duration.
and
says that it can go 180 minutes without engines to the nearest airport three hours away.
which are also incorrect.
Please explain how a 767/777 could fly 180 minutes without "engines"?
Basically you don’t know the concept of ETOPS - if engines flared out at altitude (40,000ft +) they can do a drift down for three hours which would put them at an airport. Their flight path is such that they are never more than 3 hours (180 min) from any airport while flying over water. Suggest you do some more research before showing your lack of knowledge on the subject.
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