UA 179 (EWR-HKG) 19 Jan 2019 diverted YYR , passengers stuck on board for 13 hours
Jan 20, 2019, 1:04 pm
#31
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The passengers on this same flight for the previous days spent even longer stuck on the plane - over 15 hours on each day!!
(OK, so they made it to their destination in that time, but still...)
Frozen latches at 35,000 feet would seem to be more of a positive than a negative to me...
(OK, so they made it to their destination in that time, but still...)
Frozen latches at 35,000 feet would seem to be more of a positive than a negative to me...
Jan 20, 2019, 1:13 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
It seems the amount of time they were on the plane was actually comparable to the scheduled length of the original flight, which was 16 hours.
Was the plane not catered for EWR-HKG? Did the ovens not work on the ground? I don't understand why they were short on food. Except for the few rows around the door and the boring scenery out the window, I'm having trouble understanding how this would have been different than a routine flight to HKG.
Also, regarding the temperature possibly causing the door to malfunction, the article says: "The airline believes cold weather caused a door on the plane to malfunction, preventing takeoff." So that's some evidence right there.
Was the plane not catered for EWR-HKG? Did the ovens not work on the ground? I don't understand why they were short on food. Except for the few rows around the door and the boring scenery out the window, I'm having trouble understanding how this would have been different than a routine flight to HKG.
Also, regarding the temperature possibly causing the door to malfunction, the article says: "The airline believes cold weather caused a door on the plane to malfunction, preventing takeoff." So that's some evidence right there.
Jan 20, 2019, 1:16 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
As for UA you can’t blame them for diverting. What are they supposed to do carry on and hope the pax survives? As much as we find it an inconvenience in the rare instance of an inflight medical emergency if it were us we would rather be on the ground. And in the case of an acute medical incident like a heart attack you couldn't predict it happening before you board it just comes out of the blue!
I await to learn more about the incident but if what we're heading is the whole story than colour me disappointed as a Canadian. It's the Canadian way to be hospitable to all especially in emergencies. We did so during operation yellow ribbon we should do so today!
The only fault I have with UA is they should have had backup aircraft (perhaps a couple 737s) in the ready to rescue them!
-James
Jan 20, 2019, 1:26 pm
#35
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Just kidding; you are correct. Assuming the IFE worked (it doesn't always on 3010), and beverages and food was flowing, and the cabin was heated, and the toilets worked, it is more of an inconvenience than an unbearable ordeal.
Jan 20, 2019, 1:42 pm
#36
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Widebody diversions are not that uncommon in YYR. Last spring an AC dreamliner diverted to Goose Bay as well--quite a sight at the small airport.
(Everyone had hotel rooms but that flight originated in Canada.)
One big problem is that bags could not be offloaded. Goose bay had no way of handling the aluminum cargo containers on a dreamliner widebody (nobody certified there to handle them, and possibly no ground handling equipment) (AC flew a bunch of mechanics and a full ground handling staff in on our flight from Halifax.)
After such a long delay I can't imagine being told my checked bags did not get moved to the rescue plane...
One big problem is that bags could not be offloaded. Goose bay had no way of handling the aluminum cargo containers on a dreamliner widebody (nobody certified there to handle them, and possibly no ground handling equipment) (AC flew a bunch of mechanics and a full ground handling staff in on our flight from Halifax.)
After such a long delay I can't imagine being told my checked bags did not get moved to the rescue plane...
Last edited by expert7700; Jan 20, 2019 at 1:59 pm
Jan 20, 2019, 1:42 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Also in case someone says "well what resources would a remote community like Goose Bay have to help stranded passengers?" May I remind you that the airport is dual purpose: a civilian airport and military base. I have no doubts that the Canadian Army knows how to keep their soldiers fed and ready for battle. A 777 load of passengers shouldnt be too much of a challenge for them.
-James
-James
Jan 20, 2019, 1:47 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 59
Hey at least it was Canada and not Russia! Recently on DL128 from PEK to SEA where there was an engine failure over Kamchatka the pilot diverted to Shemya AK flying a extra 2 hours on 1 engine because the SOP is that you absolutely do not divert to Russia given the state of relations and poor infrastructure/IRROPS unless you have something drastic like engine failure and even then like DL128 if you are close to AK/China/Japan/South Korea you go there.
Jan 20, 2019, 1:47 pm
#39
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Jan 20, 2019, 2:40 pm
#40
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I'm no expert on cold weather ops, but I do know that passenger jets continue to serve Fairbanks when the temperature drops below -30 (which it does most winters).
Jan 20, 2019, 2:48 pm
#41
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
The 777 door is obviously capable of working in cold temperatures, but that doesn't mean that cold weather can't sometimes cause problems with the door (including, according to United, this problem).
Jan 20, 2019, 3:07 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Another thing to keep into account is the temperature differential. The inside air in the cabin is presumably 20 degrees outside air is -30 meaning you’ve got a temperature differential of 50 degrees Celsius.
Jan 20, 2019, 3:11 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2017
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-James
Jan 20, 2019, 3:13 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 205
if the notam says the airport has limited services then it probably is not a suitable diversion point. ETOPS requires adequate passenger recovery plan for each individual diversion station in the areas where the operator is not normally an operator.#s3gt_translate_tooltip_mini { display: none !important; }
https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWe...trievalByICAOs