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What you don't want your flight path to look like
American Airlines flight 1586 on its way to Toronto blew a tire on its takeoff from LAX earlier today, requiring them to return to the airport. As you might already know, however, you can't land an aircraft with a full tank of gas -- it's just too hard on the brakes -- so the pilots had to kill some time.
As a result, instead of the pleasant transcontinental flight that flight 1586 passengers were expecting, the aircraft ended up circling around Catalina island for a little while, burning jet fuel and offering a nice tour of the off shore vacation island. In the end, the flight landed safely and the passengers were sent out about five hours late. I would have much preferred a circling tour of the Grand Canyon, but I guess that was too far away.
All standard procedure for a blown out tire though. From the flight map above courtesy of FlightAware.com though, it looks like a boring afternoon for some 130 passengers.
Check out the AA1586 flight on FlightAware for other interesting tidbits about the flight.
As a result, instead of the pleasant transcontinental flight that flight 1586 passengers were expecting, the aircraft ended up circling around Catalina island for a little while, burning jet fuel and offering a nice tour of the off shore vacation island. In the end, the flight landed safely and the passengers were sent out about five hours late. I would have much preferred a circling tour of the Grand Canyon, but I guess that was too far away.
All standard procedure for a blown out tire though. From the flight map above courtesy of FlightAware.com though, it looks like a boring afternoon for some 130 passengers.
Check out the AA1586 flight on FlightAware for other interesting tidbits about the flight.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jonathan Sep 2nd 2008 7:51PM
Besides being too hard on the brakes there's another problem with having a full tank of gas on a plane that might crash... A giant explosion.
Darryl Sep 2nd 2008 9:19PM
Why fly in circles anyway? You have to land, but why the same airport? Does it really increase any risk to fly to the destination and land there?
Chris Sep 3rd 2008 9:58AM
I have the same question as Darryl, why couldn't they just have continued on to Toronto, I would think landing with a flat tire would be the same in either airport...At least right now when the weather is somewhat the same.
Maybe this is a good question for Kent of Cockpit Chronicles.
JETCHARTER1 Sep 4th 2008 7:44AM
The reason the Aircraft was placed in a holding pattern was that at the time of the tire failure the Aircraft was in an Emergency situation. Safety dictates that the Aircraft land as soon as possible at the NEAREST airport capable of handling the EMERGENCY landing of which has the best emergency response, fire and rescue teams available. The Aircraft (Boeing 737-800) dumped its fuel immediately upon notifying LAX and Center controllers, who cleared it for an IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY LANDING. At this point it is at the discretion of the pilot (who is responsible for the safety of the passengers and aircraft) to make the decision of WHEN it's the safest for him to land. In this case, he dumped fuel to the absolute minimum to reduce the risk of fire in the event of a failed landing. His circling was directed by the air traffic controllers who were aware of his fuel situation and were routing him over areas of the least aircraft and ground population. At all times the pilot had the choice as to when he was going to land and was cleared for an emergency. Realize that in this situation, they're no room for a mistake. There's no second chance. He did a great job facing an emergency. JC1
ed Sep 4th 2008 7:44AM
i could not agree with your comment more. i work for an airline, and i'll tell you i can't beleive some of the things that are so easy, they make so hard....so 2 thumbs up for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
joe Sep 4th 2008 8:53AM
FAA protocol is if there is a known emergency - get to the nearest airport and start making prepartations accordingly. it takes time to get emergency personel in place. it takes time to diagnose the problems and prepare for a safe landing - forget about being productive - safety above all else. For what other reason is airline travel the safest transportation in the world!
Richard Sep 3rd 2008 10:08AM
Why leave a good airport with a broken airplane?
Willy Sep 3rd 2008 3:09PM
I'm dizzy just looking at the picture.
Sam Sep 4th 2008 6:50AM
What exactly is the point of this article? So what that an airline crew followed proper procedure. This is an absolutely meaningless article.
LindaSpinda Sep 4th 2008 3:58PM
Chris and Darryl,
Access to Maintenance facilities. Never know how much damage may have occurred or might occur and you'd want to be close to your mx shop.
bob wilson Sep 4th 2008 7:25AM
The reason the plane cannot land is not because of the brakes. The aircraft was certified by the FAA for a max landing weight. Since this aircraft was going transcontinental, with all the fuel it was carrying, it's takeoff weight exceeded its max landing weight untill the fuel could be burned off. Most aircraft can land above the max landing weight however, it requires an extensive inspection and in this case it was more prudent to burn off the fuel than to have to go through the lengthy inspection.
dean Sep 28th 2008 1:56PM
I saw thye news on this one the airport they landed had a longer runway so cause the pilot needed a long runway per change good going for the pilot.
LJ Sep 4th 2008 7:38AM
Normally all the pilot has to do is switch on the "fuel dump" well off shore. This rids the aircraft of its fuel much quicker than flying around for five hours to burn it off. I wonder why they couldn't do this. Strange...
Mike Hunt Sep 4th 2008 9:21AM
The EPA dont allow them to dump unless the emergency requires them to land immediately.Most of the fuel if dumped at 10000 ft will evaporate and there is little chance of any hitting the ground !
George Sep 4th 2008 9:49AM
If you read comment #4, they did dump fuel, and then ATC had them circle, out of traffic, until they were allowed to land.
JETCHARTER1 Sep 4th 2008 7:50AM
Ed- If you worked for an airline, you would have known the answer. Your comment was rediculous!
bob wilson Sep 4th 2008 8:03AM
Many of the modern airliners cannot dump fuel like older ones. The reason why the flight did not continue on was because the procedure with a blown tire on take off is not to retract the landing gear. It might get stuck in the wheel well and not extend for landing. In addition, with the landing gear extended, there is a considerable amount of excess drag requiring more fuel than they had on board.
kenny 48 Sep 4th 2008 8:09AM
Hey! Mr. Braking news flash Reporter! Jet don't run on GAS! Are you stupid or what? Jet run on jet fuel which is more like Keronsene than gasoline. Next time you report something, get your facts right so you don't look like the moron that you probably are.
kerry wenrich Sep 4th 2008 9:55AM
yeah you tell em that is nuts i can't believe they would do such a thing a flat tire oh come on planes only need them on the ground not in the air
TED Sep 4th 2008 8:23AM
As a pilot I can tell you that the oval they were flying was a extended holding pattern assigned by ATC. Unless VFR and in certain airspace control areas the pilots are required to follow specific instructions. It looks like in this case a holding pattern.