UA1579 evacuated on the tarmac @ EWR - engine fire - 23 May 2017
May 23, 2017, 7:17 pm
#1
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UA1579 evacuated on the tarmac @ EWR - engine fire - 23 May 2017
We turned onto the runway, then did what seemed like a U Turn. The captain said "Flight attendants, prepare to evacuate." 30 seconds later, I was on the runway. It was apparently an engine fire. It's ship 5996 on its third leg today. Everyone's fine.
May 23, 2017, 7:19 pm
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Was just about to post. My friend is on a flight waiting to take off and can see it out the window at EWR. Seems like there will be some delays tonight, but good to hear everyone is ok.
May 23, 2017, 7:29 pm
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"Status: Delayed due to aircraft maintenance (Estimated Departure 56 Minutes Late)"
EWR-SFO
EWR-SFO
May 23, 2017, 7:29 pm
#5
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May 23, 2017, 7:39 pm
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how did the crew perform?
May 23, 2017, 7:54 pm
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ATC recording
- starting 27 min 45s into recording UA1579 is asked to line up and wait (a bit before that UA1579 said they needed a few mins to startup engines so another a/c leapfrogged them to take off).
- late minute 28 - The a/c behind them reported the flames.
- 29:00 ATC tells them to "work it out" and 20 sec later a/c behind the reports they still see flames
- 31:10 ATC says they are evacuating and "ok everybody that's it, you guys may want to shut them down. They're evacuating, we're going to be here a while"
Recording:
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/kewr/KEWR-Twr-May-24-2017-0030Z.mp3
- starting 27 min 45s into recording UA1579 is asked to line up and wait (a bit before that UA1579 said they needed a few mins to startup engines so another a/c leapfrogged them to take off).
- late minute 28 - The a/c behind them reported the flames.
- 29:00 ATC tells them to "work it out" and 20 sec later a/c behind the reports they still see flames
- 31:10 ATC says they are evacuating and "ok everybody that's it, you guys may want to shut them down. They're evacuating, we're going to be here a while"
Recording:
http://archive-server.liveatc.net/kewr/KEWR-Twr-May-24-2017-0030Z.mp3
Last edited by iloveipods; May 23, 2017 at 8:11 pm
May 23, 2017, 8:02 pm
#12
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Posted on Facebook
I just posted something on Facebook. It's public, so all can see.
I went out on 2 left. You really motor on those slides. We were told to run into the grass.
I was was kind of amazed at the number of people who took their bags with them.
We're waiting in the United Club for an update.
One moment of levity, someone asked for a drinks coupon, the reply, "At times like this, it's probably best not to serve alcohol."
More anon.
I went out on 2 left. You really motor on those slides. We were told to run into the grass.
I was was kind of amazed at the number of people who took their bags with them.
We're waiting in the United Club for an update.
One moment of levity, someone asked for a drinks coupon, the reply, "At times like this, it's probably best not to serve alcohol."
More anon.
May 23, 2017, 8:04 pm
#13
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There actually was no fire. We were told to get as far away of the aircraft as we safely can.
The FAs acted like it was a daily occurrence. I asked one if it had happened before, she said never in 26 years.
We just learned that they've found another aircraft for us.
The FAs acted like it was a daily occurrence. I asked one if it had happened before, she said never in 26 years.
We just learned that they've found another aircraft for us.
May 23, 2017, 8:12 pm
#15
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Glad everyone's safe. Probably a tough decision for a pilot to decide to evacuate or not with a fire out there.
They sent the whole plane to the club?
Did people take their under seat carry-on bag or were they going up in the overhead?
It's good they acted like it was a daily occurrence. I guess that training works.
They sent the whole plane to the club?
Did people take their under seat carry-on bag or were they going up in the overhead?
It's good they acted like it was a daily occurrence. I guess that training works.