QR904 Diverted to SYD
Nov 23, 2017, 3:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Former holder of many statuses, less so now
Posts: 26
QR904 Diverted to SYD
I’m currently sat on QR904 on the ground in SYD. After 2 go arounds at MEL due to wind shear they diverted SYD.
The captain announced we will refuel and head back to MEL. I’m starting to wonder if they might time out on duty hours though. They are saying we need 45 mins to refuel. If that is the case we are still looking at 4 hours extension to the flight time. Am I right to be concerned?
The captain announced we will refuel and head back to MEL. I’m starting to wonder if they might time out on duty hours though. They are saying we need 45 mins to refuel. If that is the case we are still looking at 4 hours extension to the flight time. Am I right to be concerned?
Nov 23, 2017, 3:25 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
While I am ~25km SE from the airport there is no dramatic weather in my area
https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/...ights/Arrivals
Nov 23, 2017, 3:30 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Former holder of many statuses, less so now
Posts: 26
The plane was getting thrown about a lot on approach. Looking out the window there were a lots of small pockets of rain. Think we just got unlucky and they took what they believed to be the safest option.
Nov 23, 2017, 4:34 am
#6
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,947
Glad to hear you'll shortly be back on your way.
QR wouldn't have diverted unless they absolutely had to, and when a decision is made on Safety Grounds, it's best not to question it.
Hope you reach MEL asap
M
QR wouldn't have diverted unless they absolutely had to, and when a decision is made on Safety Grounds, it's best not to question it.
Hope you reach MEL asap
M
Nov 23, 2017, 5:39 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,912
Nov 23, 2017, 5:47 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
Other airlines look to have had no problems landing.
While I am ~25km SE from the airport there is no dramatic weather in my area
https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/...ights/Arrivals
While I am ~25km SE from the airport there is no dramatic weather in my area
https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/...ights/Arrivals
Nov 23, 2017, 2:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 189
Yep, in these situations you have got to trust the judgement of the captain and the flight deck. I am very sure they didn't want to divert and they will need to justify their decision internally to the airline for the operational and commercial impacts that arise from the divert, as well the the considerable inconvenience to the passengers and crew.
Nov 26, 2017, 5:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
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Posts: 5,234
I was in the Mel CBD all evening as well and it wasn’t a storm 20km away, the big issue is the fuel, in Australia you do not have the option of an alternate airport closer than 500 miles, so with the fuel rules a missed approach or a couple holds you now don’t have the fuel to get to Syd. Not too many places have to travel 500 miles for an alternative
Other flights probably wouldn't have have the fuel minimums issue since they would be shorter.
Nov 26, 2017, 5:06 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
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Posts: 5,837
Yeah, this isn't LAX where you divert 41 nm to ONT or 95 nm to SAN. Also, wind shear isn't necessarily something that occurs in sustained bursts, rather something that happens in brief spots and the OP just go unlucky. Missing at MEL means flying an hour to SYD, and needing minimums for there - that's a real consideration.
Nov 27, 2017, 2:17 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,253
While fuel is a possible reason for the divert, QR’s cockpit procedures could also be the main factor. A lot of airlines have a maximum amount of missed approaches allowed before the pilots have to divert for safety reasons, that is certainly the case with Aer Lingus where only 2 missed approaches are permitted before a divert. The rational for such a rule is the view that pilots may take the ‘land at all costs’ mentality after a few missed approaches / go-around and disregard obvious issues to please the pax / airline / crew and get home etc. Hopefully the OP made it to MEL without too much hassle in the end.
Pilot37
Pilot37
Nov 28, 2017, 3:07 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: teach
Posts: 2
Diverted to SYD
I’m currently sat on QR904 on the ground in SYD. After 2 go arounds at MEL due to wind shear they diverted SYD.
The captain announced we will refuel and head back to MEL. I’m starting to wonder if they might time out on duty hours though. They are saying we need 45 mins to refuel. If that is the case we are still looking at 4 hours extension to the flight time. Am I right to be concerned?
The captain announced we will refuel and head back to MEL. I’m starting to wonder if they might time out on duty hours though. They are saying we need 45 mins to refuel. If that is the case we are still looking at 4 hours extension to the flight time. Am I right to be concerned?