Incident at JNB [BA 744 G-BNLL collides with building]
Dec 22, 2013, 6:02 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 174
I was on this flight and sat by a window seat on the wing (don't want to reveal my seat number yet because BA has some explaining to do) but cabin crew were very professional and did their best to keep all aboard calm.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
Dec 22, 2013, 6:07 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Swindon UK
Programs: BAEC, FB, QANTAS, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, AVIS Preferred, MRAeS
Posts: 813
I was on this flight and sat by a window seat on the wing (don't want to reveal my seat number yet because BA has some explaining to do) but cabin crew were very professional and did their best to keep all aboard calm.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
Hope you get sorted with hotels and are able to fly tomorrow.
Dec 22, 2013, 6:09 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Dec 22, 2013, 6:26 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,257
I was on this flight and sat by a window seat on the wing (don't want to reveal my seat number yet because BA has some explaining to do) but cabin crew were very professional and did their best to keep all aboard calm.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
They kept us on board for over an hour after the collision and the message we were getting most was to turn our electronics off. This is because the captain and crew knew everyone was taking photos and posting to social media from their seats.
I will say we were travelling quite fast when we collided with the building. In my opinion not the standard taxi speed. We hit the brakes hard, glad I was wearing my seat belt! The first thing we hit was a lamppost and at that point I thought I was dreaming! I know the reports say no fatalities in the building but several people said the lights were on and people were in the building when the plane's wing struck the building.
The question all passengers are asking was it pilots fault or air traffic controllers fault or a mixture of both? The damage is extensive.
We were very worried about the fuel leaking from the wing but the captain told us it was under control with emergency services on the scene at once.
Chaos after we got off the plane and no one from BA there to help. This was very poor! It took me and many others three hours to be given a hotel room (Southern Sun airport hotel).
Very tired but I hope I get back to my family for Christmas. We'll find out in the morning what BA can do by putting us on others flights.
Dec 22, 2013, 6:32 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The Midwest
Programs: BA BLUE, HH, AC/UA
Posts: 775
'though I don't know why they asked for the electronics to be switched off, I don't think it was due to a fear of combustion.
Dec 22, 2013, 7:10 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: LON, RUH and DXB
Programs: BA Bronze, GF, EK, WY
Posts: 2,607
BA have just tweeted about this.
Originally Posted by BA
British Airways @British_Airways 25m
One of our aircraft was damaged whilst taxiing at JNB airport. All 182 passengers disembarked safely with no reported injuries onboard
One of our aircraft was damaged whilst taxiing at JNB airport. All 182 passengers disembarked safely with no reported injuries onboard
Dec 22, 2013, 7:28 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
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.
Sending passengers down the slides would be far more risky than waiting for steps and buses to be brought to remove the passengers.
This all means that somebody is in for an interview with no tea and biscuits.The ultimate responsibility lies with the Captain.
Dec 22, 2013, 9:33 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: DL SkyClub Lifer
Posts: 10,000
Could it be this building I marked?
Google maps
Seems the most likely candidate after looking around the taxiways. Looking at the charts it seems to have been taxiing down Bravo towards 03L but didn't follow Bravo towards Juliet, and instead carried straight on to something which is not a taxiway - hence why there is a building close by.
Glad not more serious.
Google maps
Seems the most likely candidate after looking around the taxiways. Looking at the charts it seems to have been taxiing down Bravo towards 03L but didn't follow Bravo towards Juliet, and instead carried straight on to something which is not a taxiway - hence why there is a building close by.
Glad not more serious.
Dec 22, 2013, 10:03 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Good luck with BA reaccomodating you to your destination ASAP!
Dec 22, 2013, 10:10 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
This is pretty unbelievable. It will be interesting to read the transcript of the CVR but BA will have to share the blame if it didn't install an Airport Surface Moving Map Display (or allow its pilots to use Google Maps on their smartphone when taxiing
[just a joke, but that's what such a system does])