Emirates A345 tail strike

[Tony P]

Originally Posted by Andrew P

And with a copy of the Idiots Guide on how to fly an A345 on their laps.

Did Rove write that one for you?

[Dan Hammond]

Thanks for the link to the photo Oliver

[Owen H]

Its amazing how the media go for the "hero" angle whenever it is a foreign airline isn't it!

[Andrew M]

So the Pilot who APPARENTLY didn't notice the 100t difference in the weight that was programmed by the co-pilot is a hero because seconds before crashing pressed the "get me the heck off the ground button"

[Ryan Hothersall]

Or known as "slam the throttles to the firewall and pray" button.

Misjudging the weight error would have to be one of the oldest mistakes in the book.

[Grant Smith]

Originally Posted by Ryan Hothersall

Misjudging the weight error would have to be one of the oldest mistakes in the book.

Armchair expertise at its finest..

It's amazing what you can forget to do with only 3 hours sleep..

[Fred C]

A: Hindsight is wonderful.

B: Imagine the 300 or so passengers at the airport being told that "Sorry, tonights flight will not be leaving because the Captain is too tired. Please proceed calmly and quietly to the desk for hotel allocation." There would have been a riot. We have seen what happens in Perth when a QF flight was delayed because of a lightning strike.

C: The Captain is not the only person flying the aeroplane. (Yes the buck stops with him), however there is another fully qualified pilot next to him and possibly another two in the flight deck for take off.

Things are never quite as simple as I am too tired. Not going. I'd also suggest that if he pulled that it would have been his last flight with the airline. You have to look at management, cultures etc. Would the company have backed him up,supported him, with his too tired decision?

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Although there would have probably been repercussions internally for the Captain, it is my view he was negligent operating in the first instance. He should have reported fatigued and not operated that night. It is unrealistic for a person to believe they are refreshed and alert after only 3 hours of sleep and expect to operate a long haul jetliner.

Considering his experience and aptitude, I would have expected better decision making on his part.

I am more concerned with this then the actual incident.

totally disagree, your article points out that he was already at his limit for the month, why is management rostering someone at their limit? and why on earth are the tech crew given just over 30 hrs to recover from a 14hr flight? only to schedule them on another 14hr flight.

[Fred C]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I guess that makes it acceptable then to operate an aircraft even if you are fatigued.

No not really acceptable. The company can talk all about fatigue management and tell you everyone is aware and had training, but when their multi million dollar jet is not coming over the fence as planned and is costing a few extra million in delays and hotel bills then they tend to ask questions. Like why did you only have three hours sleep?

All I am saying is it might seem a nice easy question, am I too tired to fly, but there is so much else at play.

[Montague S]

14 hrs in a plane crossing 6 timezones then doing it all again a day and a half later is a recipe for trouble...anyone thinking otherwise is deluded.