AF flight from Rio missing [merged]
Jun 1, 2009, 7:23 am
#121
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Malta
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 416
What exactly happens when lightning strikes a plane?
Many years ago I flew from TYO to SIN on a 747 when we were hit by lightning several times in a row. There was a tremendous bang, all electric function ceased, pitch black cabin, and after a few seconds (2? or 10?) the plane rebooted. This happened three times in short succession, and the IFE never recovered, seemed fried. Glad it was only the IFE!
Is it possible that the reboot/restart malfunctioned?
Any experts?
Many years ago I flew from TYO to SIN on a 747 when we were hit by lightning several times in a row. There was a tremendous bang, all electric function ceased, pitch black cabin, and after a few seconds (2? or 10?) the plane rebooted. This happened three times in short succession, and the IFE never recovered, seemed fried. Glad it was only the IFE!
Is it possible that the reboot/restart malfunctioned?
Any experts?
Jun 1, 2009, 7:23 am
#122
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ST Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 146
UGGGGGGGGGG, I can only imagine the absolute nightmare that families having to cope with this tragic situation are now having to endure.......
My thoughts and prayers are extended to all those connected with this tragedy and to everyone within the Air France family.
It certainly looks like this is going to be a long, sad, tough and tragic day for all of us.
My thoughts and prayers are extended to all those connected with this tragedy and to everyone within the Air France family.
It certainly looks like this is going to be a long, sad, tough and tragic day for all of us.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:24 am
#123
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
Could someone with in-depth technical knowledge on Airbus aircraft provide some detail on what provisions are designed into the aircraft to handle lightning/surges and the avionics? Also, how do the fly-by-wire systems on these aircraft work? What redundancy is available? What contingencies have they planned for? What do you feel they might have forgotten?
I had the unpleasant experience of being in a car which had brake-by-wire and had the system controller fail. At least on the car, they didn't leave me any additional options. Fortunately it happened on a highway, but the results easily could have been worse.
I had the unpleasant experience of being in a car which had brake-by-wire and had the system controller fail. At least on the car, they didn't leave me any additional options. Fortunately it happened on a highway, but the results easily could have been worse.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:26 am
#124
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
Thanks alanw. We all need to hope for the best here.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:32 am
#125
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: Priority Pass, DL SM, UA G, VA GM, SPG GM, HHonors GM, Marriott PM
Posts: 400
Could someone with in-depth technical knowledge on Airbus aircraft provide some detail on what provisions are designed into the aircraft to handle lightning/surges and the avionics? Also, how do the fly-by-wire systems on these aircraft work? What redundancy is available? What contingencies have they planned for? What do you feel they might have forgotten?
I had the unpleasant experience of being in a car which had brake-by-wire and had the system controller fail. At least on the car, they didn't leave me any additional options. Fortunately it happened on a highway, but the results easily could have been worse.
I had the unpleasant experience of being in a car which had brake-by-wire and had the system controller fail. At least on the car, they didn't leave me any additional options. Fortunately it happened on a highway, but the results easily could have been worse.
Some good reading on the systems used to protect the fly by wire
http://www.aviationtoday.com/am/cate...sting_210.html
some background on the actual systems used for FBW
Last edited by vsop; Jun 1, 2009 at 7:38 am
Jun 1, 2009, 7:33 am
#126
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Several UA pilots contribute to the thread including an Airbus pilot.
Just an FYI.
And let me add my sincerest condolences to the friends and families of the passengers and crew.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:34 am
#127
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gold Coast
Programs: QFM Life
Posts: 67
If they lost key systems and/or engines, a small rotor is automatically deployed to give them (limited) manual control isn't there?
Assuming they didn't lose a lot of altitude immediately, they'd still then need to glide to safety somewhere, which isn't what you want to be faced with over the sea I'm sure.
Assuming they didn't lose a lot of altitude immediately, they'd still then need to glide to safety somewhere, which isn't what you want to be faced with over the sea I'm sure.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:41 am
#128
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ecosse
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum for Life, BMI Gold, EK Skywards Gold, BA Gold, IC Hotels Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 704
Bloody hell this is grim stuff, not helped by some of the insensitive crap on this board by some. Sadly though, it looks more and more like an electrical storm has taken this and the poor souls on it down.
It's not that long since the similarly mysterious Kenya Air crash in Cameroon which IIRC is suspected to be storm related albeit a bit closer to take off than this one. Given the 330's near perfect safety record to now, it is hard to think of an uninduced fault mechanically being responsible for taking it down.
Those equatorial storms are horrible and i hate flying down to JNB with those things around as it gets very bumpy at times - incidents like this just make you wonder if sometimes we just get a bit too close to them. Who knows the truth though. Sympathies to all affected.
It's not that long since the similarly mysterious Kenya Air crash in Cameroon which IIRC is suspected to be storm related albeit a bit closer to take off than this one. Given the 330's near perfect safety record to now, it is hard to think of an uninduced fault mechanically being responsible for taking it down.
Those equatorial storms are horrible and i hate flying down to JNB with those things around as it gets very bumpy at times - incidents like this just make you wonder if sometimes we just get a bit too close to them. Who knows the truth though. Sympathies to all affected.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:46 am
#129
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posts: 3,644
Our late news bulletin here has just said that an AF spokesperson stated it was a new A330 with very experienced crew on board. I am hoping for a miracle, but it does indeed sound like its too late for that now.
My heart goes out to all those on board and their family and friends. Feeling very sad here for those waiting for news of the plane.
My heart goes out to all those on board and their family and friends
. Feeling very sad here for those waiting for news of the plane.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:48 am
#130
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: A3 *G, Marriott Plat, AS 75K
Posts: 995
latest report here:
http://adjix.com/swww
deeply sorry for passengers and crew members onboard, along with their loving families.
http://adjix.com/swww
deeply sorry for passengers and crew members onboard, along with their loving families.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:52 am
#131
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
latest report here:
http://adjix.com/swww
deeply sorry for passengers and crew members onboard, along with their loving families.
http://adjix.com/swww
deeply sorry for passengers and crew members onboard, along with their loving families.
Jun 1, 2009, 7:52 am
#133
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
I don’t know if pilots contribute to AF threads but you can always ask in this thread.
Jun 1, 2009, 8:02 am
#135
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
If they lost key systems and/or engines, a small rotor is automatically deployed to give them (limited) manual control isn't there?
Assuming they didn't lose a lot of altitude immediately, they'd still then need to glide to safety somewhere, which isn't what you want to be faced with over the sea I'm sure.
Assuming they didn't lose a lot of altitude immediately, they'd still then need to glide to safety somewhere, which isn't what you want to be faced with over the sea I'm sure.
Usually aircraft have redundancy of just about everything. There's usually a chain of mistakes that happen to bring a modern aircraft down. Most failures are little more than a PIlot REPort upon landing.