Jumbo jet 'stuck' after landing at wrong airport
Discussion
Beati Dogu said:
A few years ago a Jumbo Jet made an emergency landing at Exeter Airport.
The runway was too short for it to take off again once they'd fixed it. They had to strip it out (seats, fixtures etc) and take off with minimal fuel. They did get it off OK though.
I'd be surprised if they had to strip it of anything, other than off-loading fuel, as Exeter's runway is just short of 7,000ft, and unloaded 747's can, and have operated out of min. 6,000ft runways in various parts of the world.The runway was too short for it to take off again once they'd fixed it. They had to strip it out (seats, fixtures etc) and take off with minimal fuel. They did get it off OK though.
aeropilot said:
Certainly not the first time this has happened and probably won't be the last either.
Back in 1960, a Pan Am B707 landed at RAF Northolt by mistake instead of Heathrow.
I think it was either the Pan Am Chief Pilot that flew it out, with min fuel for the short hop over to LHR or a Boeing TP that was flown over to fly it out. There were stories of all the seats being taken out as well, but don't know if that's true or not.
I'm pretty sure it is. Both my parents grew up near there, as did I, and Dad was conscripted as an airframe fitter in the RAF at that time and told me the same story including the bit about having to take everything that could be removed out including the seats.Back in 1960, a Pan Am B707 landed at RAF Northolt by mistake instead of Heathrow.
I think it was either the Pan Am Chief Pilot that flew it out, with min fuel for the short hop over to LHR or a Boeing TP that was flown over to fly it out. There were stories of all the seats being taken out as well, but don't know if that's true or not.
Breadvan72 said:
A B52 intending to display at Fanrborough instead flew over Blackbushe a few years ago, and aircraft aiming for Duxford have ended up at Cambridge. I laughed when a very experienced pilot I was flying with misidentified Aston Down as Kemble, but laughed less when I did the same thing about a year later.
I hate to admit that in a slight moment of weakness, I spotted Aston Down and thought it was Kemble ONCE!!! - until I looked at it properly/again. That mistake is akin to confusing a Supermarket with a corner shop 
(Especially after all the development in recent years)I'm surprised it's not happened before with having three airfield with similar orientation rways on the same line within what about 5 miles?
But you'd think anyone not familiar would take a good look at the maps prior to landing. It could've been seriously nasty with that twin overflying.
Do we know was Jabara actually open when this happened, lights one etc? I know they day on the tape that the airfield is closed, but I think at that point they think he is at the other airfield just to the s of Jabara.
It's a shame they used a new crew to recover it, I think the crew could have recoverd it and save a bit of face!!
But you'd think anyone not familiar would take a good look at the maps prior to landing. It could've been seriously nasty with that twin overflying.
Do we know was Jabara actually open when this happened, lights one etc? I know they day on the tape that the airfield is closed, but I think at that point they think he is at the other airfield just to the s of Jabara.
It's a shame they used a new crew to recover it, I think the crew could have recoverd it and save a bit of face!!
Breadvan72 said:
A B52 intending to display at Fanrborough instead flew over Blackbushe a few years ago, and aircraft aiming for Duxford have ended up at Cambridge. I laughed when a very experienced pilot I was flying with misidentified Aston Down as Kemble, but laughed less when I did the same thing about a year later.
Long before that, there were apparently a couple of USAF F-111s (or F-100s?) scheduled to do a low pass at a Woodford airshow.Luckily there was nothing on approach at Manchester Airport.
There was also that Ryanair one a few years back that landed somewhere close, but not close enough, to Derry.
Edited by trashbat on Friday 22 November 15:32
Breadvan72 said:
A B52 intending to display at Fanrborough instead flew over Blackbushe a few years ago, and aircraft aiming for Duxford have ended up at Cambridge. I laughed when a very experienced pilot I was flying with misidentified Aston Down as Kemble, but laughed less when I did the same thing about a year later.
Funny you should say that... A friend of mine got them mixed up too. He landed his (club) glider at Kemble! Aston Down's airfield is very large for a gliding club... but the lack of aircraft dotted around the outskirts tends to give it away a little.Du1point8 said:
Russian IL 76 taking off in Australia...The vodka burner is rolling...
Do we have schmirn off...?
...bloody Aussie controllersYeah, yer can lift it up any time yer like....yeah, that be good...Jesus Christ...shiiit...well, if I didn't see it, I wouldn't have believed it....that's unbelieeevable....that is unbelievable...and I'm running out of film, hope I've got enough to film the crash
mybrainhurts said:
Breadvan72 said:
dazwalsh said:
it takes an absolute donkey to land at the wrong airport though.
Are you a pilot? Mistaking one airfield for another from the air is something that even some very proficient pilots have done. 
Mistakes happen.
All the time.
I just got home ran up the stairs and straight on the PC reading a few threads on here.
I shout down 'When's tea gonna be ready, luv?'
The door just flew open and this strange woman is screaming her head off at me
'Who the f hell are you? Get outta of my house!!!!!'
A few years ago, a flight being operated on behalf of Ryanair, rather than landing, as intended, at City of Derry Airport, came down at the old Ballykelly airfield which, at the time, was still an operational British Army base!
Rather than thinking they were being invaded, apparently, soldiers ran laughing towards the aircraft and welcomed the bemused passengers to their airport. The passengers had to remain on board for some time as there were no steps available. Actually, there were no steps at all as they were at City of Derry Airport some five miles away and had to be taken to Ballykelly by road!
In true Ryanair style, Ballykelly is also further from, rather than closer to, the actual destination...
Rather than thinking they were being invaded, apparently, soldiers ran laughing towards the aircraft and welcomed the bemused passengers to their airport. The passengers had to remain on board for some time as there were no steps available. Actually, there were no steps at all as they were at City of Derry Airport some five miles away and had to be taken to Ballykelly by road!
In true Ryanair style, Ballykelly is also further from, rather than closer to, the actual destination...
Jimbeaux said:
V8 Fettler said:
Mojocvh said:
mph1977 said:
Jimbeaux said:
V8 Fettler said:
Mojocvh said:
Breadvan72 said:
dazwalsh said:
surely an empty 747 on minimal fuel will get out of there, might have to wait for a decent headwind though.
it takes an absolute donkey to land at the wrong airport though.
Are you a pilot? Mistaking one airfield for another from the air is something that even some very proficient pilots have done. it takes an absolute donkey to land at the wrong airport though.
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