FlyerTalk Forums - Database Errors Accessing Long Threads

Along with other FlyerTalk members, I have noticed sporadically in the past couple of months that I get a database error when attempting to access long threads such as the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...y-welcome.html and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni/...omni-game.html threads. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why this happens, as it appears to occur on a completely random basis and is not repeatable from my end. Usually, after one or more attempts, I eventually gain access to those threads.

In fact, I just encountered this problem again. This is the message that I get:

Quote:

Database error
The FlyerTalk Forums database has encountered a problem.
Please try the following:

* Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
* Open the www.flyertalk.com home page, then try to open another page.
* Click the Back button to try another link.

The www.flyertalk.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Code:

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.3:



Invalid SQL:



                SELECT post.*, IF(post.userid = 0, post.username, user.username) AS username

                FROM post AS post

                LEFT JOIN user AS user ON (user.userid = post.userid)

                WHERE post.visible = 1

                        AND post.userid NOT IN (deleted) 

                        AND post.threadid = 309875

                ORDER BY dateline DESC, postid DESC

                LIMIT 41;



MySQL Error   : MySQL server has gone away

Error Number  : 2006

Request Date  : Wednesday, September 9th 2009 @ 09:06:00 AM

Error Date    : Wednesday, September 9th 2009 @ 09:08:01 AM

Script        : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=12344482

Referrer      : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni/309875-who-will-next-flyertalk-member-post-omni-game-3170.html

IP Address    : (withheld by me — will provide it upon request if necessary, although the technical staff which maintains FlyerTalk should be able to access it)

Username      : Canarsie

Classname     : vB_Database_MySQLi

MySQL Version :

Please click here to view the brief discussion in the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni/...omni-game.html thread.

Could you please look into what could be the cause of this problem?

Thank you in advance.