BA 777 fuel issue

[spiffomatic]

So, maybe I missed this, but in light of the 777 short field landing that doesn't seem to have included any pilot error, there's been no grounding of the fleet at all that I'm aware of.

My point is - is the cause of this possibly an operational issue that could affect other 777s in a similar scenario (low power setting w/ cold fuel or whatever caused this issue) and have there been operational recommendations or procedures that have gone into effect since this for 777 operators? Seems like depending on what actually happened, it could happen again, even if it's a remote possibility.

Is this something that will be ignored unless it repeats itself or was it possibly mx or fuel contam related?

Thanks for any insight...

 

[UALjan15]

I don't think it's being ignored....far from it. From what I've read, however, they have pretty much no clue why this happened (although there are scores of investigators not getting a lot of sleep right now trying to find out). So what to do in the meantime? Do you ground 777s worldwide that have been operating with an enviable safety record for almost 15 years? If so, for how long? Do you call for a fleetwide inspection when you don't know what to inspect for? Maybe if safety were the only consideration, we would do these things. Economics obviously enter into the equation as well, and grounded jets make no money. We all know that safety plays against economics, and that is part of what we're seeing here.

This may play out a bit like TWA 800 a few years back. After the accident, we didn't have 747s parked all over the world, but when the NTSB figured out some possible causes, inspections were called for and maintenance and operation directives issued.

I just hope they figure out what definitively happened. We live in an ETOPS world, and it is built on the foundation that both motors don't quit (or stop responding) at the same time.

 

[Erlanger]

The mystery continues......

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-02-26-777_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

[ERJdca]

So, maybe I missed this, but in light of the 777 short field landing that doesn't seem to have included any pilot error, there's been no grounding of the fleet at all that I'm aware of.

So you mean all the technically inclined geniuses here on Flight Info didn't guess right in their 10+ page (yet professional) thread regarding empty fuel tanks? Even after the facts were out..


I completely agree, kinda scary isn't it? I don't think this is something that will be swept under the rug at all. Their are too many outstanding deliveries and now with too many ???'s. Just flew with a guy a few days ago who has kids that fly for BA and the focus seems to be on the pumps.

 

[PositiveRate]

I thought I read somewhere that the focus was now clogged fuel pumps in one of the center tanks - a possible byproduct of contaminated fuel (high H20 content) and the resultant sludge that can form from long operation at very cold temperatures.

Scary indeed.

 

[densoo]

Looks like the evidence is leaning away from contaminated fuel and/or frozen fuel.

http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/cms_resources/S1-2008%20G-YMMM.pdf

Several fuel samples were taken from the fuel tanks, pipe lines and filter housings prior to the examination of the fuel system and these are currently being examined at specialist laboratories. Initial results confirm that the fuel conforms to Jet A-1 specifications and that there were no signs of contamination or unusual levels of water content. A sump sample taken from the left and right main fuel tanks shortly after the accident revealed no significant quantities of water.

The lowest TAT recorded during the flight was -45ºC, and the minimum recorded fuel temperature was -34ºC. The fuel temperature in flight must not reduce to a temperature colder than at least 3ºC above the fuel freezing point of the fuel being used. The specified freezing point for Jet A-1 fuel is -47ºC; analysis of fuel samples taken after the accident showed the fuel onboard the aircraft had an actual freezing point of -57ºC.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

all six pumps were sucking air within a minute or so of each other.