BA749 Basel - LHR Squawks 7700 and diverts to Stansted
#17
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I was trying to say that there would surely need to be an underlying reason (fuel etc.) to require expedited communication with ATC, rather than just being unable to get through at a particular point in time. I’m certainly not trying to quibble with Heathrow Tower’s SME knowledge.
#18
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1990, AV 52. A 707. The NTSB determined that the crash occurred due to the flight crew failing to properly declare a fuel emergency.
#20
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
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Where was this plane relative to the lightning strike on the 777 inbound from BOS ?
#21
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: LHR Air Traffic Control
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I was trying to say that there would surely need to be an underlying reason (fuel etc.) to require expedited communication with ATC, rather than just being unable to get through at a particular point in time. I’m certainly not trying to quibble with Heathrow Tower’s SME knowledge.
#22
Join Date: Dec 2015
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Fair enough to some of the responses but aren't people missing the point that the craft was already on final approach? As mentioned by Oxon Flyer why would an aircraft fly to a more distant airport if on final approach and facing a fuel shortage?
I'm more interested than challenging to be honest.
I'm more interested than challenging to be honest.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Ba749 was just ahead of the Ba238 in the arrival sequence, e.g. both on final approach. However it diverted much earlier (over central London) than Ba238 which was hit by lightning over Richmond Park. It may have been hit by lightning too. Am sure one of our insiders will let us know soon but it does not look like a fuel emergency.
#24
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Would the following make sense:
A lightening strike or possibility of one when on final approach, causes the flight crew to cancel their approach in order to run checklists. Meanwhile LHR closes runways for a period or may do so shortly. Flight crew make a judgement call that further holding to join the landing pattern and/or a closed field would lead to minimum fuel issues. They therefore decided to divert to Stansted, where there will be less of a queue to land and better met conditions.
A lightening strike or possibility of one when on final approach, causes the flight crew to cancel their approach in order to run checklists. Meanwhile LHR closes runways for a period or may do so shortly. Flight crew make a judgement call that further holding to join the landing pattern and/or a closed field would lead to minimum fuel issues. They therefore decided to divert to Stansted, where there will be less of a queue to land and better met conditions.
#25
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Or, in other words, we can all speculate as much as we like without shedding any light.
#27
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#28
Join Date: Oct 2006
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I’ll defer to more knowledgable sources but IF this were a fuel emergency then this does NOT mean the aircraft is ‘running out of fuel’. I think flight crew are required to declare an emergency if they can’t be sure they will arrive at their alternate airport without eating into final reserve fuel.
This video shows how some changes in estimated holding time can cause one to have to make a decision as to whether or not to divert:
This video shows how some changes in estimated holding time can cause one to have to make a decision as to whether or not to divert:
#29
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Ba749 was just ahead of the Ba238 in the arrival sequence, e.g. both on final approach. However it diverted much earlier (over central London) than Ba238 which was hit by lightning over Richmond Park. It may have been hit by lightning too. Am sure one of our insiders will let us know soon but it does not look like a fuel emergency.
#30
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 214
After landing at Stansted there was some discussion about whether to disembark (some pax living in the area were particularly keen to do so).
We were on the ground for a couple of hours before flying on to LHR (15 mins wheels up to wheels down).
Wrt refuelling, we were delayed departing Innsbruck to refuel. We then had to refuel again at Stansted.
Free soft drinks were dispensed on board during the delay.
There was much discussion on board about compensation for the eventual 3hr or so delay in landing at T5, but presumed by all that would be rejected due to it being extreme weather-related.