BA422 (LHR-VLC) emergency landing in VLC (cabin filled with smoke)
#91
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
I think, judging from the picture, that if I had have been sat in the emergency exit row I would have attempted to open the door beside me and not wait the aforementioned 10 minutes.
Glad and to see it all ended well
Glad and to see it all ended well
#92
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
Were the engines still running? What would you have done if the slide didnt inflate now that you may have started a stampede to the exit?
#93
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 30
People do odd things in dramatic situations
If is weird how ineffectual I was at anything else though.
#94
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Class, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,717
As mentioned by Charlie Whiskey, the apparent lack of comms to the passengers for 10 minutes or so after landing seems odd. Checklists, internal crew comms and external comms notwithstanding, the workload is lower as theyre on the ground vice on finals with a developing emergency.
#95
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 30
I'm less disappointed in myself now Maybe it was good that I didn't think about anything besides keeping everything and everyone around me calm.
#96
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,433
I understand that there may be risks in evacuating until the crew give the nod but the smoke was really dense by the look of things.
If the cabin was filled with smoke and I was struggling to breathe I would have gone to the exit. I am really struggling to understand why it took 10 mins to initiate evacuation. Surely, the crew could see how bad the situation was in the cabin.
If the cabin was filled with smoke and I was struggling to breathe I would have gone to the exit. I am really struggling to understand why it took 10 mins to initiate evacuation. Surely, the crew could see how bad the situation was in the cabin.
#97
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
Was the floor level lighting illuminated? I can't see it from that smokey photo, but maybe it's just the angle... What should be the trigger for that to come on?
#98
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Scotland
Programs: BAEC - Silver | Hilton Honors - Gold
Posts: 293
Glad that everyone got off safely.
A little bit OT but evacuations and luggage (hot button issue) For me personally I always ensure I have my passport, phone and wallet on my person during take off and landing. Everything else can be replaced.
A little bit OT but evacuations and luggage (hot button issue) For me personally I always ensure I have my passport, phone and wallet on my person during take off and landing. Everything else can be replaced.
#99
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 30
#100
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Well they can all be replaced as well, everything except yourself!
#101
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
Incidents, emergencies, evacuations, no two will be the same. Yes we have thorough training to follow, but it’s all about waiting, listening and looking. I’m sure the 10 minutes on the ground must have felt much longer. All of the crew want to also get home safely too.
I am impressed with the passengers on the brief footage I have seen as I didn’t really notice any panic, and even heard someone shhhhing the passengers, even though they weren’t even chatting very loudly.
I am impressed with the passengers on the brief footage I have seen as I didn’t really notice any panic, and even heard someone shhhhing the passengers, even though they weren’t even chatting very loudly.
#102
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA
Posts: 10,103
#104
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 30
Incidents, emergencies, evacuations, no two will be the same. Yes we have thorough training to follow, but its all about waiting, listening and looking. Im sure the 10 minutes on the ground must have felt much longer. All of the crew want to also get home safely too.
I am impressed with the passengers on the brief footage I have seen as I didnt really notice any panic, and even heard someone shhhhing the passengers, even though they werent even chatting very loudly.
I am impressed with the passengers on the brief footage I have seen as I didnt really notice any panic, and even heard someone shhhhing the passengers, even though they werent even chatting very loudly.
After we landed and the doors were not opening, people lost it for a bit. Lots of yelling for someone to open the door but it didn't last long.
Third round of 'people losing their minds' was when the doors opened. Again, people 3 rows from the back exit moving towards front, grabbing their luggage, etc... One thing that was nice is there was no pushing, no stempede. At least not that I noticed.
So, there was definitely multiple freak-out moments from significant numbers of passengers but they were largely short lived. There was considerably more cooperation and concern, at least in the back.
#105
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
Sleep might be tricky tonight, but I hope you manage to get some.