Back to Squawk list
  • 60

Jet wing strikes building at Johannesburg airport

Aggiunto
 
A jetliner's wing sliced through a building Sunday night at the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, just as the plane was about to take off. (worldnews.nbcnews.com) Altro...

Sort type: [Top] [Newest]


tomhuck
Matt Tran 17
This is the headline from CBS News: "Airliner crashes into building at Johannesburg airport"(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/airliner-crashes-into-building-at-johannesburg-airport/). Can't they just report news for once instead of
sensationalize it?
wopri
Why let the facts go into the way of a good story? It's sad, but sensationalizing sells.
TXCAVU
Nope, especially on a slow news day. I feel for the hundreds onboard who altered their travel plans.
btweston
btweston 1
Can't we just read the news for once instead of whining about it?
preacher1
preacher1 3
Well, you got to admit it was a little bit of an unusual event. Somebody screwed up. LOL
djjamar
Well from the looks of the photo the plane did indeed crash into the building. Just because the plane is intact it still is a crash that building is destroyed.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 8
For sure an ATC screw up. They cleared that building right into that plane.
ColinSeftel
According to the Flight Tracker on this website (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW34), the aircraft took off at 22:44 SAST and landed at Heathrow 00:36 GMT +1 day, which is a record flight time of 3:52hr at an average ground speed of 3020km/hr! Not bad for B-744 with only one serviceable wing!
Moviela
Less drag with only one wing.
bizjets101
biz jets 4
Photo of the damaged wing; https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BcKbX8PCIAEk1fa.jpg:large
spatr
spatr 3
A little speed tape and it'll be ready to go in no time!
AABABY
AABABY 1
After looking at the photo-- Maybe a bit of Bondo under the Ducktape.
AABABY
AABABY 1
Don't you mean Ducktape?
bishops90
My first reaction was; "what the hell was the building doing on the runway?"
ToddBaldwin3
Only 189 PAX on board. I'd love to have a flight that empty
wendellsmith1964
They almost put an engine into that building; how did they not see this as a problem?
AABABY
AABABY 1
I'm thinking the engine would have prevented the wingstrike. By ingesting the building!
THRUSTT
THRUSTT 2
If you people post, at least post with the correct title. If you don't know the difference between a taxiway and a runway, well...
Doobs
Dee Lowry 2
The "Queen" was at the wheel and it was on "Auto Drive".
Moviela
Queen yes, I enjoyed Freddie Mercury (Farrokh Bulsara) performing with a four-octave range.
WigzellRM
The official CAA taxiway diagram has a warning about possible confusion clearly stated on it, however, BA use Aerad and apparently the warning is on a different page to the taxi diagram. i am not fond of Aerad because of the policy of putting certain information on separate pages.
fltnsplr
"On a different page TO the taxi diagram"? That should be "on a different page THAN the taxi diagram," in my opinion. Unfortunately, TO is being used these days as a catchall preposition by people who never learned English correctly; I see it everywhere. The Internet is spreading illiteracy at an unprecedented rate, I'm afraid.
Cannodn
Too much feather on rudder controls!
preacher1
preacher1 1
My question would be, "HOW DID IT HAPPEN?". That building don't look like it was built yesterday and I am sure that taxiway was not just opened, and hat is not the first 747 that has come up thru there.
preacher1
preacher1 2
Really confusing now; a post below and URL from the daily mail says it veered off the runway and that ATC sent it down a skinny taxiway, all in the same story. go figger.
toverfield
toverfield 3
Southbound taxiway B turns into a narrow taxiway M unless you make a turn. The caution/restriction box on the ground movement chart has a specific note about it.
madbluejay
jay vlez 1
I believe these coordinates: 26°08'38.69" S 28°13'52.60" E will take you to the exact place it took place. Use Google Earth and enter the whole coordinate into the search.
preacher1
preacher1 1
10-4, at any rate he hit the building, injured 4 and tore up the plane.
ColinSeftel
According to the Flight Tracker on this website (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BAW34), the aircraft took off at 22:44 SAST and landed at Heathrow 3:52hr later, which is an average ground speed of 3020km/hr! Not bad for a B-744 with only one serviceable wing!
TXCAVU
"Estimated" in "Track flight" means this is the navigational information the flight was estimated to produce at that time. Had the flight taken place, the actual data would have populated those fields
preacher1
preacher1 1
You would have thought somebody would have seen that as a skinny taxiway, but then again, if ATC told them to go there, they were just following instructions. One of the comments in the DM link said they did, so who knows. I can imagine it kinda surprised the folks in the building.
akayemm
Seems that the ATC fouled up !
For suitability of taxi tracks ATC are the best guide and judge. And it's part of their job description too. And part of their official jurisdiction.
A serious act of commission as well as of omission on part of the ATC.
No ?
preacher1
preacher1 1
Well, taxiway is marked with restriction; pilot should have looked and at least said unable when given those instructions. Final responsibility is the pilot.
preacher1
preacher1 4
ATC not perfect either. Blind lead the blind and both fall in the ditch (or hit a building)
spatr
spatr 1
It doesn't matter who's fault it is. The PIC is held responsible if the taxiway is charted or NOTAM'd to be too narrow for the plane you are operating.
akayemm
That leads me to another Q.
How far or how long before leaving gate and ground the PIC is at his/her own ? With total radio silence ?
My money is on ATC being guilty !
akayemm
I do seem to be dilating but as I understand FMS means gate-to-gate flight plan ! And obviously taxiways are included.
No ?
So where does the fault lie ?
preacher1
preacher1 1
While the charts are marked, it seems to me in one of the initial reports that ATC directed them in there. Now, that is not an excuse as you need to look at where you are going, but if he was late out of the gate and preoccupied, it may have been a reason.
akayemm
Do I read correctly that ATC guided them to the concerned taxiway ?
If so, on what basis the PIC should be on the lookout for specific signage to tell him/her otherwise ?
Do we not go over the crossing if the light is green on roads ? Or do we stop and look out assuming the green light to be wrong ?
Or the diversion sign on the road ?
preacher1
preacher1 3
Well, as in driving through that green signal, you as an attorney should know this, BUT, in the U.S., you are required to make sure the intersection is clear, or if there is an accident, you could be sued, depending on the circumstances. Being right is one thing, but being DEAD right is another matter. Most folks don't clear an intersection but it is a good idea to use peripheral vision before going into it. That said, he possibly was cleared but especially being in one of the world's largest planes he had an obligation to look at the chart and advise ATC "unable" if that was the case. As I said above, if he left late and was preoccupied, he just may not have looked. For whatever reason, 4 people were injured, and the building/plane were tore up.
akayemm
ThanX.
In short, you mean to remind that one has to be extra cautions in the profession of flying !
AABABY
AABABY 1
Wouldn't hurt on the highway either, sir.
akayemm
Couldn't agree more !
In fact every where, incl. your home.
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 2
They put cupholders on riding mowers, principally to hold cold beers. You'd be hard pressed to pry those beers out of the hands of homeowning mowers. (But make sure the kids are playing anywhere near the lawn.)
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 2
* But make sure the kids aren't playing anywhere near the lawn.

AREN'T

Spellcheck sometimes isn't too helpful.
aaasen
Depends upon how you feel about kids....
akayemm
P.S.
Depends how old are the kids in reference !
Happy New Year
akayemm
No worries. You did well and meant well.
We all at FA know it .
Happy New Year
akayemm
I guess lawn mower works better with beer or wine. And hence the cup holders for convenience.
madbluejay
jay vlez 1
Check the impact location. I used Google Earth to pinpoint these coordinates:

26°08'38.69" S 28°13'52.60" E About West of 03 L. Hope it works, its incredible the pilots could miss the turn.
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 1
Google Earth is a bit flat, not showing the building detail in 3D.

But if you check out google maps, there's a B747 taking off just north of the northern end of runway 03L. There are other planes including in A380, A340, B777 varieties, parked or on taxiways to give sense of proportion on the airfield.
malarz
Or... maybe it was the building that crashed into a plane?
Moviela
That has happened at Dulles.
Doobs
Dee Lowry 1
Has happened at KORD...Nose first parking the big bird into its stall but went a bit too far and crashed into the concoarse. I question the flag man directing the aircaft. As far as the BA situation...where was ground control? I feel that the Captain needs some driving lessons.
onceastudentpilot
http://youtu.be/a5QBuJla5do
TXCAVU
Oops. 747-400 makes a dent.
gayinspandex
I wonder if that Captain and flight crew still has a job........How can a captain and crew of an aircraft that large not know exactly where they every moment that they are in the cockpit and put themselves, the airplane and the passengers into that situation?
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 2
Someone has written that they were late. So the pilot may have been multitasking and repaying their flight as they taxied to the runway. Seems they may have gotten behind their plane, and were not paying attention to the visual world ahead of them.

Should've taken the time to prepare prior to departing gate, before or after shutting the door.

This doesn't meant that other improvements at the airport shouldn't be made. The lighting of the building should be improved, as the taxiway signage should be improved, and the warning in the charts should be more visible (eg. on top airport diagram page).

But come on guys. Look where you're going.
akayemm
I am still at bay about communication system between ATC and the PIC. From the time a/c leaves gate, taxis and takes off !
If they stay on 'talking terms' till take off, won't ATC warn PIC of the wrong turn ? Assuming a dual responsibility.
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 1
If you need 10 additional minutes, take 10 minutes. The time can easily be made up at cruise level between South Africa and London. Better that, than not pay attention as you taxi on a busy complex airfield of a major international airport.
akayemm
Please educate me. Will increasing speed during cruise not affect fuel consumed calculations ? Meaning that fuel actually consumed may be more than that initially calculated. If so, the PIC will be on caught on the wrong foot again !
preacher1
preacher1 1
This is true but time is normally made up under only direction of OPS, hence X fuel is known and authorized.
sanukjim
Ah yes,Head up Axs,don't follow your ground map,don't listen to ground control,you pick your own way looking through your colon.With all the expanding need for new pilots and the military not supplying this need as they once were,the "pilots" with the "PARKER PEN" quals will be what you get.
ortizar
Holy cow!
umritter
Uwe Ritter 1
Didn't notice someone else already posted same article. Sorry!
Tasmex
So here is my take on it. Night time, high cockpit load; late off the gate? A number of aircraft parked ahead to the right giving the pilots a false sense of what the layout was. Building that was impacted probably not well lit. But the cruncher for me is that the taxiway signing looks rather inadequate and to my way of thinking, not in the correct place to indicate the left swing connecting to 03L. All of this from Google Earth, so maybe the details are different now. Taxiway board on the left some 200 metres before the turn, nothing on the right side to indicate the correct path to the runway. For me as a highway engineer, the signing is not adequate. I know, there should have been taxiway lighting, but was the one that the pilot actually took also lit. All the mod cons that are available should have prevented this happening. In all, lots of things that could go wrong that conspire to cause this to happen. Guess we need to wait for the report. Should make interesting reading - will probably be classed as pilot error.
AABABY
AABABY 2
Those crazy Korean pilots at it again? Sum Ting Wong and company?
PhotoFinish
PhotoFinish 2
This time it was the Brits*. You can't blame the Koreans every time.

Each man (or woman) must be responsible for his (or her) own actions.

*maybe South African ATC was complicit in this accident (but even if so, the Brits entrusted their lives to the controllers of a banana [literally] republic). So the Brits get blamed twice. Their own failure AND the SA failure.
AABABY
AABABY 1
For Queen and Country! Just kidding, Photo--
Couldn't think of any English name to fit. Any ideas?
AABABY
AABABY 2
I say! Sticky Wicket and all that other balderdash!
harriedog
Peter Green 1
I wonder how many passengers will be sueing for stress after their lawyers talk with them?
wopri
How many of the passengers were American?
djjamar
More airline pilots are making dumb mistakes then ever before. Landing at the wrong airport, Stalling a 777 100 feet over a runway, Suicide missions with passengers, both pilots asleep en-route. Whats going on?
preacher1
preacher1 5
Any group of professional people, regardless of the field, will have a brain fart every now and then for various reasons and will screw up royally. Sometimes it gets found out, sometimes it doesn't. We all look at the ones that get found out and can't understand how someone could do such a thing, and proceed to pick them apart, yet most of us have BEEN THERE/DONE THAT and are glad it's not us. 30 years ago we would read about things in a newspaper a week or so after it happened. With instantaneous news reporting and coverage these days, Vladimir Putin can wake up with a bad case of diarhea this morning and the whole world know about it before he can get off the pot.
209flyboy
209flyboy 1
Hey FlightAware, PLEASE STOP THE PREMTIVE ADS ON YOUR REPORTS or I'm out of here for good.
AABABY
AABABY 1
When you see one, click REPORT then hit eject button
augerin
Dave Mathes 0
...uhh ground...was that building there last week ?
AABABY
AABABY 1
Ground to PIC- Major Tom: There might be a small building in your way.
EAllanEnglehardt
Probably texting!
TXCAVU
You have obviously never worked with British Air.
rsantiago1221
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

Plane wing clips building at Johannesburg airport

British Airways plane sideswiped a building at Johannesburg airport on December 22, 2013, according to early reports from passengers onboard. (Harriet Tolputt; @HarrietTolputt via Yahoo News)

http://news.yahoo.com/plane-wing-clips-building-johannesburg-airport-084501891.html
KevinBrown
Kevin Brown 0
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

British Airways 747 collides with building at Johannesburg Airport

A British Airways plane bound for London last night crashed into a building at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Images from Twitter appear to show the plane was taxiing when one of its wings sliced through a brick building on the edge of the runway.
Passengers on the plane reported on Twitter that no one had been hurt in the incident.
A spokesman for the airport confirmed the plane had been damaged and said all passengers were being taken off the flight to spend the night in a hotel and that the plane would not be departing.
She could not confirm that there were no injuries.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/10534084/British-Airways-plane-collides-with-building-at-Johannesburg-airport.html
gidonbelmaker
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

British Airways Plane Crashes Into Building at Johannesburg Airport

A British Airways plane bound for London couldn’t manage to take off, crashing into a building at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.


http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/412619-british-airways-plane-crashes-into-building-at-johannesburg-airport
Aircraft19
Aircraft19 0
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

British Airways Boeing 747 Veers of Runway in South Africa

A British Airways Boeing 747 bound for London has veered of the runway at OR Tambourine International Airport and smashed its wing into a two-story building

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2528213/Take-drama-BA-jet-bound-London-hits-airport-building.html
us1999
Ishan Gajra 0
(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

British Airways 747 Slices Building at Johannesburg Airport

A BA 747-400 clipped a building at the Johanessburg OR Tambo International Airport while taxiing for departure.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2013/12/23/ba-747-wing-clips-building-at-south-african-airport/4176347/

Accedi

Non hai un account? Registrati adesso (è gratis) per usufruire di funzioni personalizzate, allarmi voli e molto altro!
Sapevi che il tracking dei voli di FlightAware è supportato dalla pubblicità?
Puoi aiutarci a mantenere FlightAware gratuito accettando gli annunci pubblicitari di FlightAware.com. Ci impegniamo per far sì che i nostri annunci siano pertinenti e discreti per offrire la migliore esperienza. Aggiungere gli annunci ammessi su FlightAware è facile e veloce oppure puoi prendere in considerazione i nostri account premium.
Ignora