PDX-SJC Lost engine on Flight 406 12/19
Dec 19, 2006, 9:41 pm
#1
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PDX-SJC Lost engine on Flight 406 12/19
Alaska's Flight 406, PDX - SJC was forced to return to Portland today due to losing the port engine about 10-15 minutes into the flight. I was seated in row 2 when we felt 4 big thumps. The plane noticeably slowed and we went into a couple of gentle turns. As we slowly lost altitude the pilot announced that we lost the port engine and we were returning to Portland. We arrived about 15 minutes later. There were many emergency vehicles ready and waiting for us. Thankfully, they were not needed. The landing was quite smooth! Kudos to the two great pilots!
-RKG
-RKG
Dec 19, 2006, 10:29 pm
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Everytime I read "lost engine" I always think of a plane physically losing an engine. Like you look out and you don't see an engine that's supposed to be there. But oh well. Glad to hear everything turned out well.
Dec 19, 2006, 10:39 pm
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By the way, the aircraft was an MD80 and the registration number is N949AS. I had taken the short trip to Portland and back to San Jose to qualify for Platinum on NW. I must admit, in the middle of this experience, there was a moment or two when I thought that NW Gold Elite wouldn't be so bad after all...
Dec 19, 2006, 10:54 pm
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I understand what you are saying. I did not know how else to describe it. The engine was certainly still attached and upon landing, I did not see any damage or signs of smoke or fire damage. I just used the words of the pilot.
By the way, the aircraft was an MD80 and the registration number is N949AS. I had taken the short trip to Portland and back to San Jose to qualify for Platinum on NW. I must admit, in the middle of this experience, there was a moment or two when I thought that NW Gold Elite wouldn't be so bad after all...
By the way, the aircraft was an MD80 and the registration number is N949AS. I had taken the short trip to Portland and back to San Jose to qualify for Platinum on NW. I must admit, in the middle of this experience, there was a moment or two when I thought that NW Gold Elite wouldn't be so bad after all...
)
Dec 20, 2006, 1:34 am
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Originally Posted by RKG
I understand what you are saying. I did not know how else to describe it.
I know what you meant though.
Dec 20, 2006, 10:33 am
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"Lost an engine" is how we refer to an engine failure. When you use a term frequently enough you forget that the specific usage is not universally understood.
There have been a number of incidents and accidents where the engines have litterally been lost. The engine pylons are designed to have a weak link so that a seriously damaged engine will come loose instead of transmitting extreme forces to the airframe. Three incidents come immediately to mind though I'm sure that there have been more. AA191 departing ORD in the late 1970s is one example. At least one B727 had an engine depart the airframe during cruise on the southwest US. A cargo B747 had an engine break lose near Anchorage.
A failed engine is an emergency (in a two-engined airplane at least) but it is one of the most practiced emergency procedures and should not cause an accident unless there are aggravating factors. The airplanes are designed to do it.
There have been a number of incidents and accidents where the engines have litterally been lost. The engine pylons are designed to have a weak link so that a seriously damaged engine will come loose instead of transmitting extreme forces to the airframe. Three incidents come immediately to mind though I'm sure that there have been more. AA191 departing ORD in the late 1970s is one example. At least one B727 had an engine depart the airframe during cruise on the southwest US. A cargo B747 had an engine break lose near Anchorage.
A failed engine is an emergency (in a two-engined airplane at least) but it is one of the most practiced emergency procedures and should not cause an accident unless there are aggravating factors. The airplanes are designed to do it.
Dec 20, 2006, 11:10 am
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Originally Posted by LarryJ
"Lost an engine" is how we refer to an engine failure. When you use a term frequently enough you forget that the specific usage is not universally understood.
Dec 20, 2006, 1:29 pm
#13
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Originally Posted by LarryJ
There isn't a common usage term for a separated engine as it is not a common event.