Thank God, but if it was full, it could have had a different out come. The "DH" doesn't mention the cause of the blowout. I could never understand why there isn't screens in front of the turbines??? The pilot must have taken a page out of "Sullies" book !!
Not to discount the seriousness of the issue, but most modern jets are quite capable of flying with only one of two engines operating. It does create a whole bunch of potential issues, so the pilot should nevertheless be commended on a safe landing. They also don't give a cause yet for the blowout, whether birds (as in the US Airlines Sully case) or mechanical failure. That will have to be determined by the investigation. As to Sully, he lost both engines, so a whole different kettle of fish!
It was a serious issue, good thing that the plane was basically empty. The problem with Sxm is not so much the landing but the take off. Given the relative shortness of the runway and the proximity of the hills, loosing one engine during take off at full load of passangers, baggages and fuel, it could be a problem. Also do not forget that once a plane in Sxm takes off it must bank/veer to the right not having much support from the nose winds that actualy helps the lift of the plane. All good in Paradise!
Every take off we make in a commercial aircraft is planned for the possibility of an engine failure at liftoff. It is built into the take off performance computations and is something we train for every year in the simulator. While it is far from a normal event, if handled correctly, it should not be a big deal.
For the aviation nerds here is the ATC comms from the incident: VASAviation Good job it didn't happen Sunday (yesterday, 2 Jan), things were a bit busy (or, "this is ridiculous" in the words, on air, of one tower controller during the morning). Dave.
Anyone know if the Air CaraĆÆbes A330 flew out yet? Reason I ask is I see a Volga-Dnepr Airlines IL76 inbound from Porto this morning, wondering if it's bring a shiny new engine for the Air CaraĆÆbes? Either way an IL76 will be an unusual sight at PJIA for any plane spotters at Maho Beach today. F24 link: VDA5826 Dave.
Anyone know if the Air CaraĆÆbes A330 flew out yet? Reason I ask is I see a Volga-Dnepr Airlines IL76 inbound from Porto this morning, wondering if it's bring a shiny new engine for the Air CaraĆÆbes? Either way an IL76 will be an unusual sight at PJIA for any plane spotters at Maho Beach today. F24 link: VDA5826 Dave.
WOW - Thank you Dave! I love airplanes and will be watching from afar...
Elaine: You're welcome, I was also watching virtually, very cool, looked like a bit of a crowd on the beach as well. I think I see the CaraĆÆbes parked at the C1 ramp and the Russian has just taxyed in next to it. Dave.
I think they are confusing it with the Russian Antonov cargo jet, the An-225, which is the largest cargo aircraft in the world. The Il-76 is barely in the top 15, so quite a bit smaller!
Did the Air Caraibes Jet finally fly back home? I know they were testing the engine on the weekend and right now I can't seem to see it on the webcams.
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