Incident at JNB [BA 744 G-BNLL collides with building]
Dec 22, 2013, 4:54 pm
#16
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Had another look at the wing fuel tanks on a 747 and they are shown here
Each wing has two main and one reserve tank. I think it is the reserve tank which starts above engine 4 and extends outwards on the starboard wing. No idea whether there would actually be any fuel in there anyway so there may have been no danger of a fuel leak and fire. Bear in mind that the JNB-LHR distance is around 5600 miles, and that a 747-400 at max take-off weight can do 8350 miles, so this plane would not have had all tanks full of fuel.
Each wing has two main and one reserve tank. I think it is the reserve tank which starts above engine 4 and extends outwards on the starboard wing. No idea whether there would actually be any fuel in there anyway so there may have been no danger of a fuel leak and fire. Bear in mind that the JNB-LHR distance is around 5600 miles, and that a 747-400 at max take-off weight can do 8350 miles, so this plane would not have had all tanks full of fuel.
Dec 22, 2013, 5:07 pm
#22
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Or if they would bother in this case if the damage is substantial? I can't remember where G-BNLL was in the retirement list but it may be moved now. G-BNLL was delivered in June 1990 and is the 6th oldest 747 in service at BA.
Dec 22, 2013, 5:07 pm
#23
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G-BNLL is (was?) a 52j with old first.
She was not due for withdrawl and is (was?) to be fitted with the NF product from a 747 that was going to Stand down.
Will be interesting to see how this accident impacts on that decision!
She was not due for withdrawl and is (was?) to be fitted with the NF product from a 747 that was going to Stand down.
Will be interesting to see how this accident impacts on that decision!
Dec 22, 2013, 5:09 pm
#24
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You are assuming the brakes were working though aren't you. Perhaps it was a fault with the brakes which meant the pilots couldn't take the left turn on Bravo to start with.
Dec 22, 2013, 5:20 pm
#26
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I think there would be some fuel in the reserve tanks. How much is uncertain. The main spar would afford some protection but even if punctured a fuel fire is not a huge risk.
I am sure the repairs will be quite costly.
I am sure the repairs will be quite costly.
Dec 22, 2013, 5:23 pm
#27
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Can't entirely rule out a brake or nose-wheel steering failure at this point. But the extent of damage to the building seems to suggest there was no attempt to decelerate either by reducing thrust or reversing thrust prior to the collision. So a spatial awareness issue seems more likely.
Dec 22, 2013, 5:24 pm
#28
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" Not impressed that first class passengers get off before premium economy during an emergency.”
Says Harriet Tolputt of Oxfam. I wonder if charities pay for more than economy would be the more pressing issue I would have thought Hazza. Then again she might have paid for it herself. Wonder if there's a dedicated escape chute should circumstances arise...
Says Harriet Tolputt of Oxfam. I wonder if charities pay for more than economy would be the more pressing issue I would have thought Hazza. Then again she might have paid for it herself. Wonder if there's a dedicated escape chute should circumstances arise...
Dec 22, 2013, 5:28 pm
#29
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Can't entirely rule out a brake or nose-wheel steering failure at this point. But the extent of damage to the building seems to suggest there was no attempt to decelerate either by reducing thrust or reversing thrust prior to the collision. So a spatial awareness issue seems more likely.
) I guess the point I was trying to make in response to rankourabu is that really we don't know why it happened and therefore we are just speculating - and obviously speculation is not something we would do on here of course
Last edited by KARFA; Dec 22, 2013 at 5:35 pm
Dec 22, 2013, 5:44 pm
#30
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" Not impressed that first class passengers get off before premium economy during an emergency.”
Says Harriet Tolputt of Oxfam. I wonder if charities pay for more than economy would be the more pressing issue I would have thought Hazza. Then again she might have paid for it herself. Wonder if there's a dedicated escape chute should circumstances arise...
Says Harriet Tolputt of Oxfam. I wonder if charities pay for more than economy would be the more pressing issue I would have thought Hazza. Then again she might have paid for it herself. Wonder if there's a dedicated escape chute should circumstances arise...