Plane pieces fell on runway
Friday 5th March 2010, 3:00PM GMT.
Large parts of a commercial aircraft fell onto Jersey Airport’s runway
A MAJOR investigation is under way after large parts of a commercial aircraft fell onto Jersey Airport’s runway and went undetected for more than an hour.
It is understood that three other aircraft used the runway before the pieces of engine – some big enough to fill the back of a pick-up truck – were detected.
The UK’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Board confirmed this morning that it is treating the incident as ‘serious’ and has launched an immediate inquiry.
A spokesman for Flybe confirmed that there been ‘an incident’ involving one of its aircraft, but added that no passengers were on board. ‘Safety is Flybe’s number one priority and we are working closely with the authorities to understand the issues raised by the incident,’ the spokesman added.
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Heads must roll, remember France and Concorde? As an ex RAF serviceman, I am only to aware of the dangers that incidents like this can cause. And Jersey airport has one of the most used runways in Europe. How could this go undetected and for so long? it beggars belief. Words really do fail me.
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It was Fly Be
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Next they will be telling us there were children in the control tower!
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The buck stops with the airport on this one I’m afriad. I can’t see how flybe can be blamed when runway inspections are the job of the Airport authorities.
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The 2 things i find most disturbing about this is firstly Deputy Higgins comment that ‘obviously these things happen’ … do they? and just how often do bits fall off planes? I know he found out about it so good on him for that but that comment concerns me somewhat!
And secondly the fact that FlyBe are playing the whole thing down by saying it was simply ‘an incident’ and anyway there were no passengers on board.
This must be investigated in full and not be allowed to be swept under the runway! And Flybe need to be held accountable.
Sorry just aint good enough … not that they have said that yet either!
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Did the pilots not notice anything?
How did it manage to carry on if pieces to fill a truck fell off? HELLO??
Like oh look the wings have fallen off but it,s ok we can make it to Birmingham!!!!
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I’ve never made a mistake either.
You’d think they would have ten people following each aircraft that takes-off or lands because bits the size of pick-up trucks fall off them in the dark all of the time.
Maybe they should have 2 runways so one can be used whilst the other is checked.
If they must fly in the dark there should be lights like we have along the avenue just in case – it’s just plain common sense.
As for the ‘cover-up’ they’re crazy, just think of all the great publicity! We spend a fortune on Tourism advertising when we could have had all this exposure for nothing – it’s a win win situation.
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Gotta love the comments from people who are so obviously well informed and “in the know”!
@1
How many times is an airport required, by law, to inspect its runways? How many times is Jerseys inspected?…. Yeah, I didnt think you knew the answer to either! Still, you know best and have all the facts!
@2
The fact you state you are an EX RAF “Serviceman” (could of been a cleaner for all we know) makes me think you are rather out of touch. This thought is reinforced by the fact you state “Jersey airport has one of the most used runways in Europe”…. Which decade are you living in. Check the stats, i’m afraid Jersey is not even in the top 20 UK airports anymore, let alone europe!!! Still, you know best and have all the facts!
@5
You are of course right, how can a commercial operator be blamed for.. bits… dropping…. off!!! Still, you know best and have all the facts!
@6 (although you do seem the most balanced)
Unfortunatly, these things do happen, as is bourne out by the ever increasing worldwide air accidents. State authorities, can only do their best to mitigate the causes of incidents/accidents! And this could never of been “covered up” as the X-Files wanna be’s will have you believe, even if the Airport/Flybe had tried to, the AAIB HAVE to be involved in any incident of this nature and their findings are released into the public domain!
Still you are all right, lets sack everyone at the Airport and Flybe, i have been working on a matter transporter for several years now and it is nearing completion, so i will make a fortune with the only route off the island!
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A disaster waiting to happen.
So-was the aircraft landing ot taking off? Did the crew notice something was wrong?
Beyond belief!
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Deputy Higgins,These things do not just happen. I was an flight engineer in the Raf, now retired. I can assure you aircraft parts do not just fall off and these things don’t just happen. The CAA must now investigate this major incident. Do you have any idea what may of happened as a result of this major incident?
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How could this happen with our island regulated so well? LOL
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Anyways, I thought planes were supposed to be checked after so many airmiles?
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Baz,9. It must be very nice on your planet.
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The official term is FOD, Forign Object Damage.
Any one working airside should be paranoid about it! Any litter, no matter how inconsequentail it may seem must be picked up. maybe a review of air side procedures is due?
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I agree with most of the comments.
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I have worked as a loader on the ramp at Jersey Airport for several years now and before that at a major UK airport [10 fold busier than Jersey].
The facts are as im led to believe a Fly-Be aircraft took off and part of the engine cowling came loose.
Its also stated that there were 3 movements before the debris was discovered [not sure if it was take offs or landings]
For those who dont know it is impossible to see the runway in the dark at JA as i actually had a look the other night from the baggage drop off area, ATC would have the best view there is also an operations office and a fire service tower which overlook the runway.
I;m led to believe it was someone from Op;s who discovered the Debris on a routine runway inspection, so IMHO it was not the fault of any of the the 3 airport departments mentioned, the fact there was ONLY 3 movements prior to the debris being discovered should be commended as a similar incident at the previous airport i worked at went unnoticed for almost 5 hours, at that airport runway inspections were done twice a day if you were lucky.
I often see the fire service dept and the operations vehicles checking the runway constantly, you cant do it after every arrival and departure as the airport would come to a halt.
Instead of slagging off certain airport departments perhaps their actions and regular checks actually averted a potential disaster
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Er, Baz . . . The runway is inspected at least every 20 mins. It used to be carried out by the Airport Fire Service, but with the intervention of EASA and European regulations the Ops Dept was created. In this particular case there are several issues to be addressed.
Firstly there was a known problem with the aircraft which had been looked at by Flybe staff here. It appears the inspection was interrupted and therefore the panel was not properly secured. An internal issue for Flybe to address.
Secondly the pilot(s) and the engineers missed this on their pre-flight inspection. If they actually did one that is, and this maybe closer to the truth. Again down to Flybe and its procedures.
Thirdly how the Ops Dept didn’t detect the FOD on the runway for quite some considerable time is the most alarming. The airport has become a shambles. There is duplication and triplication in almost every department. The fire service used to be responsible for runway inspections as well as bird scaring. They still carry out this task which means they are also driving up and down the runway. Quite which bright spark decided they were no longer able to do both is not known, so we now have 2 vehicles on the runway almost constantly. The issue is who is ultimately responsible for what.
The ATC answer to the CAA and are not really controlled by Jersey Airport. The Airport however does not answer to anyone. Its self governing and therefore each dept is more or less stand alone. This is where the problem lies. There are now so many heads of department it is difficult to pin anyone to anything, ergo the top heavy cumbersome and expensive ‘institution’ the airport now is.
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Reading #17′s comments, and as an avid viewer of Air Crash Investigations, this whole issue is a bit of a non story.
Contrary to popular belief, bits do fall off of aircraft from time to time, usually DC10′s (An engine / Exploding tail engine fan / Cargo doors x 2 and in the case of the Concord crash, a bit of something else from one of these dangerous aircraft that punctured a tyre)
Sorry to be flipant, but it was dark, and unless the runway was lit and checked after each movement, as mentioined by #17, what else could have been done ?
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Unfortunately I have to moan at this one *gasp*. The seriousness of this cannot be underestimated. Whether the aircraft was carrying passengers or not is irrelevant. An ops team doesn’t suddenly become less interested due to an aircraft being empty as opposed to full. In response to No.8 I understand your sentiment. However the reason this is an issue is that this could potentially have been far worse (it didn’t take much for Concorde to crash in Paris) and frankly it’s not difficult to avoid. A runway inspection (in part of near complete) after each landing/take-off is standard procedure at most airports whether Heathrow or Newquay. Heads don’t necessarily have to roll but this must not happen again under any circumstances. I will be arriving back in Jersey in three weeks just slightly more nervous.
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@7 & @10 (Geniuses)
Yeah…. of course the pilots noticed a problem. but they didn’t want to make a fuss and thought, awww, it’ll be alright, maybe we’ll mention it on landing!!!!
@11
No they don’t “just happen”, he’s not saying it is an act of divine intervention or magic, he’s not accusing Harry Potter here. These things don’t “just happen” without human error or component failure…. But they DO happen…. And why must the CAA investigate this “major incident” do you mean the AAIB? They ARE investigating it. And please enlighten us all oh wise one as to what could of happened as a result of this “major incident”. Flight Engineer?!?! Airfix maybe!
@13
If you mean after x amount of flying hours they go through scheduled inspections/maintenance, yes, they do….. and your point is???
@15
Good Lord, you are correct, Jersey Airport were probably unaware that FOD (Foreign object debris/damage) IS DANGEROUS!!! Those crazy kids probably saw the debris but thought it wouldn’t be an issue! Obviously with your knowledge regarding airside procedures you MUST work for the AAIB or CAA and if not, WHY NOT!!!
@17 (at last)
Incredible, hold the presses, someone with common sense, who actually has knowledge about that which they are commenting on! Congratulations, you win the I HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER ON WHICH I AM COMMENTING ON award…. I may not be able to get the full title on your plaque!
Still gotta laugh huh!!!
X
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I find some of these comments totally unbelievable. BAZ you hit the spot, only to have further stupid comments made straight afterwards.
DottieBean, no the pilots didn’t notice. Generally speaking the engines aren’t in sight from the flight deck of a twin engined aircraft. The incident was on take off, during which, the non handling pilot is monitoring engine instrument read outs, giving temp, oil pressure, engine pressure ratios, compressor ratios, torque. If nothing goes wrong with anything like (ie the important stuff), then he wouldn’t call STOP. The handling pilot, is looking where he is going, controlling the pitch, speed, direction of the aircraft. So in other words neither pilot is looking backwards at an engine they can’t see. If the mud flat fell off your car, would you notice? Most likely not, unless you then ran over it. If your car lost all of its oil and a light came on would you stop? More likely yes, but not definitely. I hope this demonstrates, that anything important like engines not giving power required to get off the ground before the end of the runway, or fire etc, is monitored and brought to our attention. No we don’t want bits falling off aircraft, but if its going to happen, I’d rather it be a bit that isn’t quintessential for flight.
Frequent Flyer, I am afraid I’m going to have to agree with BAZ on this one too. You are showing a large degree of ignorance, which then can only damage the intelligence behind the points you are trying to make. The CAA do not investigate incidents or accidents. Read the above article again and see if you can learn something. Secondly, I can guarantee that in your career as a flight engineer, you made a mistake at one point during that career, and bits do fall off planes. I will however give you the fact that its not ideal or desired, and being noticed immediately would be the perfect world. Jersey’s Operations have very little to do with “such a small airport, and small number of movements” therefore, have time on their hands, and use it. Runway inspections are far more regular than for example Gatwick. In fact out of all the times I have flown out of Gatwick, I haven’t heard a runway inspection come over the runway!!!
Vee, they are checked every morning, to a degree. They are also checked every night, and a general walk around before each flight. Then there are a whole bunch of checks, which tackle the aircraft to a variety of degrees. Some which take the aircraft back to the bare structure, some are done yearly etc etc. The timing of checks, and what to do in them in essentially determined by the manufacturer and the civil aviation authority. The airline can then be more stringent than that, but not less.
Concerned, you must be a banker, therefore at fault for the world economy!!! No??? BAZ does live in a nice world, one where you only make derogatory comments if you actually have a clue what you are talking about. For some reason people love to hate aviation, but don’t understand what they are slagging. Not to rant and rave, but how much did a ticket to london cost 10 years ago? pretty much the same as today, so why do people moan about paying for a bag when the rest of Jersey’s prices have doubled? strange.
GreenBean, do you not think that if your work had a fire, the MD might not come out telling the press that nobody was harmed, and the building was empty? See the similarity? In Aviation, there is no sweeping under the carpet, it all gets investigated and released to the public. Also the wording “incident” is correct. In aviation, its either an accident or an incident.
Sorry, this has been a rant, but needed to be said, the understanding just isn’t there.
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Baz
I cant fly a plane.
I have never worked at the airport
I have never been an airfix mechanic
BUT I do fly in aircraft as a passenger.
And it seriously concerns me that bits fall off.
It shows something has gone wrong, passenger safety has been compromised.
Do not belittle peoples concerns.
Next you will be saying only bankers can comment on or have have concerns about money.
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