HOW This Aircraft FELL 30 000 Feet in Less Than 2.5min! | China Airlines 006

Mentour Pilot22 minutes read

A China Airlines Boeing 747 SP experienced a severe incident over the Pacific Ocean due to engine failure and clear air turbulence, leading to a rapid descent and emergency landing in San Francisco with injured passengers and limited steering capabilities. The captain's quick thinking and crew's experience played a crucial role in successfully managing the emergency situation and landing the aircraft safely despite multiple challenges.

Insights

  • The incident on February 19, 1985, involving a China Airlines Boeing 747 SP showcased the critical consequences of engine failure, thrust asymmetry, and autopilot disconnection, highlighting the intricate challenges faced by the experienced crew in maintaining control and ensuring passenger safety during extreme conditions.
  • Despite facing severe roll, pitch down, and g-forces, the skilled pilots successfully managed the emergency situation, executing precise maneuvers such as descending over 30,000 feet in under two and a half minutes, restarting the failed engine mid-flight, and conducting a manual landing with limited nose wheel steering, underscoring their exceptional training, quick decision-making, and effective communication with air traffic control to avert a potential disaster.

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Recent questions

  • What caused the Boeing 747 SP incident on February 19, 1985?

    Turbulence and engine failure.

  • How did the pilots manage to regain control of the aircraft during the incident?

    Descending and restarting engine number four.

  • What challenges did the crew face during the emergency landing in San Francisco?

    Open landing gear doors and limited nose wheel steering.

  • How did the crew handle the injured persons on board during the emergency?

    Declaring an emergency and successful manual landing.

  • What was the outcome of the Boeing 747 SP incident on February 19, 1985?

    Successful emergency landing in San Francisco.

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Summary

00:00

China Airlines Flight 006: Turbulence and Tragedy

  • Incident occurred on February 19, 1985, involving a Boeing 747 SP from China Airlines cruising at 41,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean.
  • Flight had 251 passengers, 5 pilots, and 18 cabin crew, with experienced crew members.
  • Aircraft had four Pratt & Whitney JT9 Delta 7 Alpha engines, with previous issues on the number four engine.
  • Turbulence experienced due to a jet stream, prompting the captain to switch on the fasten seatbelt sign.
  • Clear air turbulence caused fluctuations in airspeed, leading to auto throttle adjustments.
  • Flight engineer initiated a slow engine acceleration procedure for the number four engine, forgetting to switch off the bleed air valve.
  • Thrust asymmetry developed due to the number four engine's failure, causing the aircraft to yaw to the right.
  • Captain attempted to descend due to decreasing airspeed, leading to autopilot adjustments and increased thrust on remaining engines.
  • Autopilot's maximum control wheel input couldn't counteract the yaw, resulting in the aircraft rolling towards the right.
  • Captain disconnected autopilot to control airspeed, leading to a severe roll and pitch down, causing extreme g-forces and loss of situational awareness.

15:22

High-altitude emergencies in aviation

  • Astronauts experience around 3gs during launch or re-entry at 11,000 feet.
  • Pilots level the aircraft at 9,500 feet after descending over 30,000 feet in under two and a half minutes.
  • Engine number four fails but is successfully restarted using the inflight restart non-normal checklist.
  • Air traffic control is contacted, reporting a flameout, emergency, and descent to 9,000 feet, then clearance to climb to flight level 200.
  • Main body landing gear doors are found open, with the gear down and locked, prompting a descent to 27,000 feet due to hydraulic system depletion.
  • Emergency declared due to injured persons on board, leading to a successful manual landing in San Francisco with limited nose wheel steering.
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