How common are 'go arounds'?
Discussion
spitfire-ian said:
Can't help but post this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djd1pPQZ_LE
thats a keeper!Ayahuasca said:
POWERNew Orleans a few years ago. Foggy landing, and we were the only ones trying for a landing.
First landing attempt was aborted and up we went on full throttle.
Second attempt attempt was aborted and up we went on full throttle again. Slightly unnerving at this point.
Third time, different runway at MSY, and just as we went through the clouds, pilot hit the go around button or whatever its called. Plane went to a huge angle of attack, engines went to 100% or whatever they go to (I'm told they go to 110%). And off we sailed up into the air again, to the prerequisite screams from the passengers.
We landed at Baton Rouge for more fuel so we could have another go at MSY!
When we landed at MSY, we got the full story of the aborted 3rd landing. Apparently, someone left a crane on the runway. Or so they thought. As we were coming down to use the unused part of the runway that evening, someone in the tower went to double check the runway was available and cleared, and the notification was missing. No one could see the runway due to the fog.
Turned out that the maintenance crew had forgot to tell them that the runway was in fact clear.
First landing attempt was aborted and up we went on full throttle.
Second attempt attempt was aborted and up we went on full throttle again. Slightly unnerving at this point.
Third time, different runway at MSY, and just as we went through the clouds, pilot hit the go around button or whatever its called. Plane went to a huge angle of attack, engines went to 100% or whatever they go to (I'm told they go to 110%). And off we sailed up into the air again, to the prerequisite screams from the passengers.
We landed at Baton Rouge for more fuel so we could have another go at MSY!
When we landed at MSY, we got the full story of the aborted 3rd landing. Apparently, someone left a crane on the runway. Or so they thought. As we were coming down to use the unused part of the runway that evening, someone in the tower went to double check the runway was available and cleared, and the notification was missing. No one could see the runway due to the fog.
Turned out that the maintenance crew had forgot to tell them that the runway was in fact clear.
spitfire-ian said:
Can't help but post this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djd1pPQZ_LE
I like the way the guy gets out of the way.........just incase 
Not a go around as such but a couple of interesting incidents involving my older brother.
The first happened many years ago as my brother was returning from the Far East via Moscow in the middle of winter. Having stopped for fuel the passengers returned to the plane for the last leg back to London. The outside temp was about minus twenty. Anyway the pilot tried to fire up the engines but only 3 of the 4 will start; he tried again but still no fie up. A ground crew try to do a start using a starter truck, still no joy. Then the engineers come and have a look. After a lot of mucking about the pilot tried again at which point the inboard engine explodes in a massive fire ball which rages for about 15 seconds then goes out. As you can imagine the passengers went into major panic mode. The pilot then comes on to reassure everyone that all is OK and the fire ball was just caused by excessive fuel pooling in the engine.
He then fires up the other engines and the plane returns safely to London. As you can imagine the flight was very quite on the way back.
To all you pilots is this a common problem?
And second, I waved my brother off from San Francisco as I was staying for a couple more days. As his plane took of into a very dark sky it was hit twice by lightning. From my vantage point it looked scary as hell. When I spoke to him the next day he recounted the massive bangs that were heard and all the lights going out and how the plane appeared to loose power for a few seconds. Again another very quite flight home
The first happened many years ago as my brother was returning from the Far East via Moscow in the middle of winter. Having stopped for fuel the passengers returned to the plane for the last leg back to London. The outside temp was about minus twenty. Anyway the pilot tried to fire up the engines but only 3 of the 4 will start; he tried again but still no fie up. A ground crew try to do a start using a starter truck, still no joy. Then the engineers come and have a look. After a lot of mucking about the pilot tried again at which point the inboard engine explodes in a massive fire ball which rages for about 15 seconds then goes out. As you can imagine the passengers went into major panic mode. The pilot then comes on to reassure everyone that all is OK and the fire ball was just caused by excessive fuel pooling in the engine.
He then fires up the other engines and the plane returns safely to London. As you can imagine the flight was very quite on the way back.To all you pilots is this a common problem?
And second, I waved my brother off from San Francisco as I was staying for a couple more days. As his plane took of into a very dark sky it was hit twice by lightning. From my vantage point it looked scary as hell. When I spoke to him the next day he recounted the massive bangs that were heard and all the lights going out and how the plane appeared to loose power for a few seconds. Again another very quite flight home
Streetrod said:
Not a go around as such but a couple of interesting incidents involving my older brother.
The first happened many years ago as my brother was returning from the Far East via Moscow in the middle of winter. Having stopped for fuel the passengers returned to the plane for the last leg back to London. The outside temp was about minus twenty. Anyway the pilot tried to fire up the engines but only 3 of the 4 will start; he tried again but still no fie up. A ground crew try to do a start using a starter truck, still no joy. Then the engineers come and have a look. After a lot of mucking about the pilot tried again at which point the inboard engine explodes in a massive fire ball which rages for about 15 seconds then goes out. As you can imagine the passengers went into major panic mode. The pilot then comes on to reassure everyone that all is OK and the fire ball was just caused by excessive fuel pooling in the engine. He then fires up the other engines and the plane returns safely to London. As you can imagine the flight was very quite on the way back.
To all you pilots is this a common problem?
Not a pilot but I've experienced it on a budget airline flight. Pilot came over the intercom 'we are just having a bit of trouble getting the 2nd engine started..' starter truck comes along.. inspection hatches opened on the engine, things poked. close hatches, start again, muchos flame and smoke. Pilot back on the intercom 'nothing to worry about... and it seems to be working now, so we will be departing shortly'The first happened many years ago as my brother was returning from the Far East via Moscow in the middle of winter. Having stopped for fuel the passengers returned to the plane for the last leg back to London. The outside temp was about minus twenty. Anyway the pilot tried to fire up the engines but only 3 of the 4 will start; he tried again but still no fie up. A ground crew try to do a start using a starter truck, still no joy. Then the engineers come and have a look. After a lot of mucking about the pilot tried again at which point the inboard engine explodes in a massive fire ball which rages for about 15 seconds then goes out. As you can imagine the passengers went into major panic mode. The pilot then comes on to reassure everyone that all is OK and the fire ball was just caused by excessive fuel pooling in the engine.
He then fires up the other engines and the plane returns safely to London. As you can imagine the flight was very quite on the way back.To all you pilots is this a common problem?
Even if it a common occurence 'it seems to be working now' is not the most reassuring phrase to hear as a passenger.
Eric Mc said:
Very quite what?
I have seen these balls of fire caused by pooled fuel a number of times. They are generally spectacular but harmless.
Excuse my spelling, it’s never been great. Fire balls may be harmless but if you are a nervous flyer they are never going to encourage you to get back on a plane anytime soonI have seen these balls of fire caused by pooled fuel a number of times. They are generally spectacular but harmless.
It's just what we call a "wet" start. As long as nothing gets toasted, then it is relatively harmless. As long as you don't do anything daft such as keep pumping in fuel and stop motoring the engine over on the starter.
It's usual the result of a failed start and isn't dangerous if handled correctly.
It's usual the result of a failed start and isn't dangerous if handled correctly.
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