QF78 arrives late

[wandering_fred]

Any more detail on why QF78 (sin-per) arrived 5 hours late (17 May) this morning? A less reliable site said something about an engine fire while taxi-ing in SIN.

These flights are normally normally vary only a modest number of minutes from the schedule.


Happy wandering

Fred

 

[SeaWolf]

For an engine fire on a QF jet there seems to be very little interest from the Aus media. I found one article, a first person account in the Hindu Business Line:
The Hindu Business Line : An emergency well handled

All of a sudden we heard a thud. We thought the aircraft had hit something. But from my seat, I could see a ball of fire. A couple of passengers who saw it began shouting ‘fire’ and took to their heels. With people around me running, I had no option but to take to my heels. An airhostess, who was pregnant, had to make way to ensure there was no collision or stampede.

 

[NYCguy]

Interesting story, and if it's accurate it's commendable that the cabin crew were able to control the pax and prevent a panicked, unnecessary stampede to the exits.

In "their country", a riot would may possibly have ensued.

 

[vitaminp]

At this stage I can't find any other verification of the incident. The thread on the other forum says there will be a 743 substituted on the route. I imagine by tomorrow morning it will find its way into the mainstream Australian media and be subjected to all forms of hackery.

 

[NYCguy]

I imagine by tomorrow morning it will find its way into the mainstream Australian media and be subjected to all forms of hackery.

Surely not?!?!?!

 

[jpk]

Thread on pprune about it: PPRuNe Forums

I am amazed this has not made news media (as far as I have seen).

 

[simongr]

Probably the highly important news that someone leaked an email from the deputy leader of the opposition pushed this off the front page...

That and the aftershock in China maybe...

 

[benbatten]

Yes there was an engine fire. I was on the flight sitting on the right side just in front of the engine in row 24. I too am surprised there has been no pick up in the media. Like the mention below there was a loud thud, which I thought nothing of until I heard people screaming and yelling out fire and I turned to look out the window and saw a large fireball coming out the front of the engine and across the wing. People were running and trying to get out of the doors. The situation was poorly handled by Qantas...we were kept on the plane for about an hour with very limited information, and without the air on so it got very hot. When I complained to staff, the CSM came and spoke with me and then took me to the front of the plane where I discussed my unhappiness with the first officer and captain. It appeared there was very limited knowledge by the staff of what to do in this situation. People were very distressed and those around me were puzzled that we were being told nothing at all other than the plane was being inspected by engineers. I just couldn't understand it - even if it was cleared to fly surely they must have understood people were not going to be comfortable getting off the ground - I certainly was and I take that sector every 3 weeks with Qantas, and choose them for their safety, certainly not the service. The food in the Business lounge has not changed in well over 18 months. They did offer a replacement plane at 1230am but I had already decided to leave than wait around. The then replacement flight QF78 on May 17 was also delayed for an hour due to mechanical problems, I decided to stay in Singapore. QF71 that was returning to Perth on Sunday was also an hour late getting back in.

 

[bravoecho1]

Welcome to AFF Benbatten. Certainly an insightful first post.

 

[oz_mark]

Yes there was an engine fire. I was on the flight sitting on the right side just in front of the engine in row 24. I too am surprised there has been no pick up in the media. Like the mention below there was a loud thud, which I thought nothing of until I heard people screaming and yelling out fire and I turned to look out the window and saw a large fireball coming out the front of the engine and across the wing. People were running and trying to get out of the doors. The situation was poorly handled by Qantas

Sounds like their ability to control screaming passengers was well handled by them.

 

[codash1099]

From what I have read, it was not an engine fire but a not entirely abnormal even when excess fuel burns off due to some engine malfunction.

I can't imagine it would escape notice (politics notwitstanding) had there been a real fire,

 

[jpk]

I can't imagine it would escape notice (politics notwitstanding) had there been a real fire,

Given how much noise was made over an entirely normal rejected take-off at LAX a few months ago, and how many details were wrongly reported, I am surprised the media didn't turn this into a "near-catastrophic event".

 

[serfty]

Welcome to AFF.

... The food in the Business lounge has not changed in well over 18 months. ...

Hmmm, perhaps even those FIFO miners can't handle it; even then ... 18 months?? - IO thought they'd at least replace the trays every week or so. :shock: