Weird (unfortunately usual) experience at Schiphol
Sep 24, 2007, 8:00 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 3,395
I'll be darned, KLM almost lost a bird to a volcano. Learn something new everyday.
During a 1989—90 series of eruptions, Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, spewed enormous clouds of ash. Ash blown from this volcano on December 15, 1989, nearly caused a 747 jetliner (KLM Flight 867) carrying 231 passengers to crash. Partly in response to this near-fatal incident, the U.S. Geological Survey organized the first International Symposium on Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety. This 1991 conference in Seattle, Washington, focused attention on ways to reduce the risk volcanic ash poses to the world's rapidly increasing air traffic. Photograph is courtesy of Joyce M. Warren.
During a 1989—90 series of eruptions, Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, spewed enormous clouds of ash. Ash blown from this volcano on December 15, 1989, nearly caused a 747 jetliner (KLM Flight 867) carrying 231 passengers to crash. Partly in response to this near-fatal incident, the U.S. Geological Survey organized the first International Symposium on Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety. This 1991 conference in Seattle, Washington, focused attention on ways to reduce the risk volcanic ash poses to the world's rapidly increasing air traffic. Photograph is courtesy of Joyce M. Warren.
Sep 24, 2007, 11:00 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,122
IIRC - BA had all engines stall (twice) and lost power completely from LHR to Narita a decade or so back because of an erupotion in Indonesia. Luckily after decending below the volcanic ash (which was at high altitude) the pilot managed to restart the engines.
Sep 24, 2007, 11:12 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,803
That was enroute to Australia IIRC. Flew into an ash cloud off Indonesia (where the volcano was located as you indicated) - not anywhere near Japan.
Sep 24, 2007, 11:58 am
#49
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
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In fact, it was just featured on "Air Emergency" if any of you watch that show - although most of the graphics they use on that show are really cheesy.
-RM
Sep 24, 2007, 1:38 pm
#50
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
All four engines flamed out; almost all electric power failed; the cockpit windshield were sandblasted, depriving the pilots of forward vision; and the aircraft lost over 10,000 feet in altitude before the pilots got two engines running again. Repairing the aircraft cost $80 million, in 1989 dollars. Ever since, KL have had a very strict volcanic ash policy, causing them to cancel or reroute flights even though other airlines happily keep flying.
Johan
Johan