oops - open engine latch on transcon flight
Jan 29, 2012 | 8:14 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,815
I would've just let the FA know just in-case even if it looked okay. If they failed to find that before the next flight the plane took and something tragic happened, i'd feel terrible.
Jan 29, 2012 | 8:48 pm
#17
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I asked a flight attendant at the top of the boarding stairs (no jetway in DAY in '70s) if the captain knew there was a stream of Jet A coming from the port engine nacelle and then proceeded to my seat. She briefly entered the cockpit and I then saw the captain exit the plane and we had a 1 hour or so delay while it was attended to.
Jan 29, 2012 | 9:19 pm
#18
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Last year I was on several USAir 737-xx flights (the ones with WiFi) and the plane made a very loud continuous noise while boarding and leaving the flight. I think it was a banging sound but I don't remember that clearly anymore. Anyway, I asked a FA about it and was told that it was normal and happens all the time. I've never heard that noise on a CO 737-xx.
Jan 30, 2012 | 2:58 am
#19
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Jan 30, 2012 | 4:09 am
#20
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Personally I would have snapped a picture of it on my phone and gone up and asked an FA to bring it to the guys up front. Let them make the decision.
Jan 30, 2012 | 6:18 am
#21
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It's like when I call the IT person at work and tell them exactly what the problem is to save them the hassle of diagnosing the issue but still start off with the classic "is it plugged in?" bit only to eventually reach the same conclusion several hours later.
Jan 30, 2012 | 6:23 am
#22
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,815
I wonder the FA would've even bothered to take it seriously/report it to the captain both in the case of AQ243 and in the OP's case. FA's get kind of used to dealing with people who don't know anything about aircraft and would probably just shoot off the usual "it's normal" response without even a second thought.
It's like when I call the IT person at work and tell them exactly what the problem is to save them the hassle of diagnosing the issue but still start off with the classic "is it plugged in?" bit only to eventually reach the same conclusion several hours later.
It's like when I call the IT person at work and tell them exactly what the problem is to save them the hassle of diagnosing the issue but still start off with the classic "is it plugged in?" bit only to eventually reach the same conclusion several hours later.
Jan 30, 2012 | 6:44 am
#23
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DonaldDaisyHueyLouieDeweyMickeyMinnieGoofyPhoenix
as a password because they need 8 characters and must have a capitol [SIC].
Jan 30, 2012 | 6:52 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: BOS
Posts: 519
Ah, nah, it's not the wings falling off that will kill you. By the time they would fall of a plane, you'd already be well aware of your imminent death.
Jan 30, 2012 | 9:04 am
#26
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What would happen if the left (port) engine fell off of a 737
1. The CG would shift to the right and plane would roll in that direction
2. The plane would enter a left hand turn as the right side would be producing more power.
3. The would I assume be an alarm of some type in the cockpit letting the pilots something had gone somewhat wrong.
4. The passengers would enter a level of distress.
5. I am guess the autopilot would attempt to correct for the roll and bank, which would be possible or disable and let the two people in the front fly the plane.
1. The CG would shift to the right and plane would roll in that direction
2. The plane would enter a left hand turn as the right side would be producing more power.
3. The would I assume be an alarm of some type in the cockpit letting the pilots something had gone somewhat wrong.
4. The passengers would enter a level of distress.
5. I am guess the autopilot would attempt to correct for the roll and bank, which would be possible or disable and let the two people in the front fly the plane.
Jan 30, 2012 | 9:38 am
#27
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What would happen if the left (port) engine fell off of a 737
1. The CG would shift to the right and plane would roll in that direction
2. The plane would enter a left hand turn as the right side would be producing more power.
3. The would I assume be an alarm of some type in the cockpit letting the pilots something had gone somewhat wrong.
4. The passengers would enter a level of distress.
5. I am guess the autopilot would attempt to correct for the roll and bank, which would be possible or disable and let the two people in the front fly the plane.
1. The CG would shift to the right and plane would roll in that direction
2. The plane would enter a left hand turn as the right side would be producing more power.
3. The would I assume be an alarm of some type in the cockpit letting the pilots something had gone somewhat wrong.
4. The passengers would enter a level of distress.
5. I am guess the autopilot would attempt to correct for the roll and bank, which would be possible or disable and let the two people in the front fly the plane.
But that latch doesn't hold the engine, it secures that panel on the nacelle.
Jan 30, 2012 | 11:20 am
#28
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Nonetheless, even if the engine didn't fall off...if the panel came open during flight that would probably also be bad.
I think I would have calmly and privately reported this to the FA. I'm sure the captain would want to know as only they have the expertise to decide the question of whether it matters or not.
I think I would have calmly and privately reported this to the FA. I'm sure the captain would want to know as only they have the expertise to decide the question of whether it matters or not.
Jan 30, 2012 | 12:34 pm
#29
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It's actually worse from a yaw control standpoint to simply have one engine shut off during takoeff (rather than actually fall of the aircraft) because the drag that the failed engine creates adds to the yawing moment that the functioning engine on the other side creates. That yaw has to be overcome by the rudder and tail to keep the aircraft flying. If the engine simply fell off that drag goes away. All of this assumes that there isn't some larger structural problem with the wing of course.