FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - 30 Nov - UA 512 [JFK-SFO] Diverts to ORD Due to In-Flight Hydraulics Failure
Old Dec 1, 2012 | 10:11 am
  #17  
ksw
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NRT, HND
Programs: UA Premier 1K, 1MM
Posts: 38
Hydraulic system

Glad to hear that everyone landed safely.

The hydraulic system must be designed with redundancy, but when the entire system is broken simultaneously, it would be a serious trouble. Such was indeed the cause of "the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Airlines_Flight_123

It is also remarkable that an off-duty UA flight instructor, who had studied the JL123 accident, helped saving many lives in a similar accident later:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_232

The hydraulic system must have been much improved after these accidents, but I guess the probability of a complete loss of hydraulics is still not zero....
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