BA422 (LHR-VLC) emergency landing in VLC (cabin filled with smoke)
Aug 6, 2019, 5:19 am
#166
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Agreed, but there is a report from someone who was on board that has stated there was a 10 minute window between landing and evacuating (measured with reasonable accuracy between the timings of 2 text messages) plus the same person has stated there was zero communication from the flight deck in this time period. So not really surmising this part, what we don't know is why it was decided to have zero official communication during that time period.
Aug 6, 2019, 5:27 am
#167
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The BBC website report of the incident was updated a few minutes ago, and now includes comments from several of the affected passengers.
There is praise for the Captain, but a fair bit of critical comment in relation to CC communication, and in the way matters were subsequently handled on the ground. The report carries a (brief) response from BA. In fairness one would not expect the airline to have a lot to say in public, until their own investigations are complete.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49243757
There is praise for the Captain, but a fair bit of critical comment in relation to CC communication, and in the way matters were subsequently handled on the ground. The report carries a (brief) response from BA. In fairness one would not expect the airline to have a lot to say in public, until their own investigations are complete.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49243757
Aug 6, 2019, 5:28 am
#168
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Aug 6, 2019, 5:34 am
#169
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Agreed, but there is a report from someone who was on board that has stated there was a 10 minute window between landing and evacuating (measured with reasonable accuracy between the timings of 2 text messages) plus the same person has stated there was zero communication from the flight deck in this time period. So not really surmising this part, what we don't know is why it was decided to have zero official communication during that time period.
Aug 6, 2019, 5:51 am
#171
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Aug 6, 2019, 5:52 am
#172
Join Date: Nov 2016
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The “smoke” coming out your exhaust pipe contains carbon monoxide, which Is a relatively quick way to kill yourself. I’d certainly not want to sit in a car full of exhaust fumes. I’d be interested to know what happened at the post-incident medical check-up. ie, were they looking for signs of gas poisoning?
Aug 6, 2019, 6:02 am
#173
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Agreed, but there is a report from someone who was on board that has stated there was a 10 minute window between landing and evacuating (measured with reasonable accuracy between the timings of 2 text messages) plus the same person has stated there was zero communication from the flight deck in this time period. So not really surmising this part, what we don't know is why it was decided to have zero official communication during that time period.
Aug 6, 2019, 6:10 am
#174
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Agreed, but there is a report from someone who was on board that has stated there was a 10 minute window between landing and evacuating (measured with reasonable accuracy between the timings of 2 text messages) plus the same person has stated there was zero communication from the flight deck in this time period. So not really surmising this part, what we don't know is why it was decided to have zero official communication during that time period.
Given that this incident will be investigated, it is likely that this will be picked up by the investigation and a recommendation made.
In the rail industry there has been an increase in the number of passenger-initiated uncontrolled evacuations in recent years, usually in response to a combination of poor communication from those in charge and deteriorating conditions on-board. There's the potential for some parallels to be drawn here.
Aug 6, 2019, 7:27 am
#175
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: London
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I think I speak for every crew member when I say that as crew, we have no desire or plans to go down with the ship. Ultimately, I’m the most important person onboard, to me! If I thought for one moment that my life was in danger in such a scenario, I have the experience and training to allow me to make the decision to evacuate. Questions may well be asked afterwards but ultimately, we are trusted as crew to make informed decisions based on our training. Passengers do not have the same training and knowledge of procedures to make the decision to evacuate because they “haven’t heard anything” from the crew. I trust my Pilots, I trust my Cabin Crew team and communication between us is everything. When the crew are clearly busy dealing with a highly stressful situation, they may well not have the mental head space to take time away to make you feel more at ease. This crew won’t be judged for not making announcements, they will be judged (positively) for getting every single one of those passengers off of the aircraft safely and in the correct circumstances.
Saudia 163 does not compare to this. They had clear signs of fire in the cabin which were declared before the aircraft even landed. What went through the Captain’s mind after landing, none of us will ever know. But it’s known the cabin was pressurised after landing and the wing engines were still running for 3 minutes after the aircraft came to a stop. The fire continued to rage onboard, thick black toxic smoke killed everyone and fire consumed what was left.
Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve.
Saudia 163 does not compare to this. They had clear signs of fire in the cabin which were declared before the aircraft even landed. What went through the Captain’s mind after landing, none of us will ever know. But it’s known the cabin was pressurised after landing and the wing engines were still running for 3 minutes after the aircraft came to a stop. The fire continued to rage onboard, thick black toxic smoke killed everyone and fire consumed what was left.
Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve.
Aug 6, 2019, 7:30 am
#176
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Aug 6, 2019, 7:38 am
#177
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Agreed, but there is a report from someone who was on board that has stated there was a 10 minute window between landing and evacuating (measured with reasonable accuracy between the timings of 2 text messages) plus the same person has stated there was zero communication from the flight deck in this time period. So not really surmising this part, what we don't know is why it was decided to have zero official communication during that time period.
So there is uncertainty at this point exactly how long the aircraft was on the ground before the evacuation order was given. This apparent inconsistency in evidence is not unusual when people have been subjected to a traumatic experience. Once the investigation is complete we will know for sure what the actual timeline was.
Aug 6, 2019, 7:58 am
#178
Join Date: Aug 2019
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Indeed there was, but another passenger (Rachel Jupp, the editor of BBC Panorama) in the link kindly provided by @subject2load supra said "... Ms Jupp said the cabin crew was unable to open the emergency exits for "three or four minutes" after the plane landed...".
So there is uncertainty at this point exactly how long the aircraft was on the ground before the evacuation order was given. This apparent inconsistency in evidence is not unusual when people have been subjected to a traumatic experience. Once the investigation is complete we will know for sure what the actual timeline was.
So there is uncertainty at this point exactly how long the aircraft was on the ground before the evacuation order was given. This apparent inconsistency in evidence is not unusual when people have been subjected to a traumatic experience. Once the investigation is complete we will know for sure what the actual timeline was.
Last edited by aikaterine; Aug 6, 2019 at 8:05 am
Aug 6, 2019, 8:18 am
#179
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Honestly, there is no uncertainty on my end. I sent a text at landing. I sent a text after I got off the slide. They are timestamped. I don't know how the other person is getting her timings but mine are exacting. It was 10 minutes. So the time inside the closed plane on the ground will be somewhere close to 10 minutes.
You have been an incredibly generous contributor to this topic, offering us your first-hand experiences of what must have been a terrifying and traumatic experience for all involved. I have no doubt that you have recounted your experiences honestly and accurately.