BA 777 on fire at LAS

[jb747]

It looks like the first set of trucks are using water, and the later one(s) foam? Perhaps they are mindful of the issues they had with foam after the OZ crash at SFO.

Interesting to see the time line... CNN had someone phone in to say it took 5-10 minutes to put out the flames. From the video it appears much quicker - just a couple minutes. Although I'm not sure how long the fire was going before everyone started taking pictures.

The evacuation is still happening when the trucks arrive. Looking again at the video, you can see the R3 and R4 slides are still inflating. Listen to the audio clip. It's all very quick, and seems to have been very well handled by the firemen.

I also see in one of the images that some people took their luggage. F!@#@##.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The evacuation is still happening when the trucks arrive. Listen to the audio clip. It's all very quick, and seems to have been very well handled by the firemen.

My point was a bystander's 'perception' vs 'reality'. The witness stated it took 5-10 minutes to put out the flames. Reality is that it took a couple minutes by the time the trucks arrived. (Although as I said, I'm not sure whether the witness was including the total time the aircraft was stationary in their 5 minutes')

 

[Hvr]

Even more interesting. The audio. Nigel is very cool.

https://clyp.it/jrvdzhrw

As is the female ATC. Her voice sounds like she was told something very normal and she moves into emergency mode while doing the 100 other things required to a) respond to the situation and b) continue safe operations.

 

[Denali]

As much as my husband jokes about wanting to go down the slide one day, what a terrifying thing to happen.

And I admit it, I would be grabbing my handbag before leaving the plane but I would leave the carry on behind.

Glad everyone is OK.

 

[JessicaTam]

The evacuation is still happening when the trucks arrive. Looking again at the video, you can see the R3 and R4 slides are still inflating. Listen to the audio clip. It's all very quick, and seems to have been very well handled by the firemen.

I also see in one of the images that some people took their luggage. F!@#@##.

Your eyes are better than mine if you can tell the gender of all the firefighters.

 

[JessicaTam]

Mug punter's observations:

* First appliance focusses low - seems to be undercarriage; then moves up wards over engine/wing (fuel precaution?)

* Is that the coughpit crew emerging at about 2:20?

* Fire appliances don't want to leave a drop in the tanks (no point, is there?).

I was fortunate to have a look over an airport tender a year or so ago, and know that they have thermal imaging cameras. So it is possible they were aiming at the hottest part of the fire before moving up. Might welll have been fuel on the ground.

 

[milehighclub]

As much as my husband jokes about wanting to go down the slide one day, what a terrifying thing to happen.

And I admit it, I would be grabbing my handbag before leaving the plane but I would leave the carry on behind.

Glad everyone is OK.

Whilst I hope you are never in a situation that requires you to evacuate - do not grab anything!!!!!!!!!!!! Just get off the aircraft.

 

[jb747]

And I admit it, I would be grabbing my handbag before leaving the plane but I would leave the carry on behind.

What is in your bag that is worth risking your life, or even worse, the life of someone else, for a handbag?

 

[opusman]

And I admit it, I would be grabbing my handbag before leaving the plane

And stopping at the top of the slide to check your makeup?

 

[dajop]

Whilst I hope you are never in a situation that requires you to evacuate - do not grab anything!!!!!!!!!!!! Just get off the aircraft.

What is in your bag that is worth risking your life, or even worse, the life of someone else, for a handbag?

Not agreeing with the practice of grabbing things .... any delay is critical ... but I observe that most keep their handbags at their feet, and many people would not see the action of grabbing it as they standup (or indeed before they standup) as adding any extra time to the evacuation, especially if they are waiting for people in front to evacuate. They probably don't consider that every millesecond makes a difference and also the potential for it to delay/obstruct as they exit the plane and move down the slides.

Of course, taking the time to grab anything from the O/H locker is just stupid.

 

[Denali]

And stopping at the top of the slide to check your makeup?

Please, not every woman is a princess but yes, if my bag was on my lap or by my feet, I would grab it and as to whats it in, all my ID, mulitple passports and usually quite a few thousand dollars.

Sadly I don't trust the average airport employee to return a big wad of cash, especially in the US.

At least Im being honest in admitting I would most probably grab my handbag, hopefully I will never be in the situation to find out.

 

[casanovawa]

In these situations Denali being honest is not really appreciated, we must all freak out like a handbag or a wallet could cost hundreds of lives, I'm surprised we are allowed to leave with our clothes on as who knows what could get hooked on something and block the whole plane up...

Remember LEAVE EVERYTHING!?!?!?!

 

[TonyHancock]

My emergency martini kit would be coming with me.

 

[casanovawa]

Gross, if you need something to calm the nerves just a bottle of bourbon should suffice i would have thought...

Until it falls in the aisle and traps half the passengers on board!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Remember LEAVE EVERYTHING!?!?!?!

 

[Himeno]

Another 777 hull write off I assume?

 

[casanovawa]

After the fire is out it doesn't actually look so bad, bit of buffing/painting, few new panels and windows...

Wonder how much of that water and foam got inside??

Maybe clean the carpets??

 

[Himeno]

It's G-VIIO and was headed for LGW.
Google flight tracking says it departed. Flightrader24 says it's been 'delayed' until tomorrow (with same aircraft planned...)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Until it falls in the aisle and traps half the passengers on board!?!?!?!?!?!?!

People seem to be somewhat selective about this... on the one hand there is concern about someone grabbing a purse... but on the other hand no one really seems to care about the tripping hazard of 400+ headsets which some airlines allow their passengers to wear gate-to-gate... and would possibly end up in the aisle.

It is not ideal for someone to take hand luggage with them. But the issue is why do they do so? And which messages need to be strengthened (and how?) in the safety briefing? Maybe some passengers are becoming complacent after seeing several evacuations, with pax carrying hand luggage, but without any adverse consequences.

 

[Andyzx]

NEW ad just posted on GumyTree

For Sale 1 used and slightly smoked damaged aircraft 777-200 pretty blue, red, white, black colour scheme. 1 owner only 247,624km on the odometer, may need new engine Available for inspection Las Vegas airport tarmac subject to ATSB getting out of the way. - maybe subject to insurance claim.

WANTED
1 (near) new 787-900, prefer blue, red, white colour scheme with stylised union jack on tail, must be available immediately, pax are at the terminal.
IAG operations Willy Walsh +44 20 8564 2800

 

[Andyzx]

In true British understatement, from BA website - hidden under travel news.

Serious Incident involving BA

Answer Id 5350 | Updated 09/09/2015 05.04 AM (UK time)
Summary
The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and we are looking after those who were on board the BA2276 from Las Vegas to London Gatwick following an incident on Tuesday September 8, 2015.


More information
The aircraft, a 777-200 experienced a technical issue :shock: as it was preparing for take-off from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.

Our crew evacuated the aircraft safely and the fire was quickly extinguished by the emergency services at the airport.

157 customers were on board the flight, along with three pilots and 10 cabin crew.

A small number of customers and our crew have been taken to hospital as a precaution.

All customers have been provided with hotel accommodation, and our colleagues are helping them with anything further they require.

We will provide any further updates on ba.com.
Friends or family with any concerns can call +800 1360 7012.