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Author Topic: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!  (Read 23820 times)

Offline inigo88

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SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« on: November 02, 2007, 08:53:05 AM »
We in the bay area experienced a 5.6 magnatude earthquake this last tuesday 10/31, at 8:04 pm PDT. It was centered near the Calaveras Reservoir east of San Jose, about 30 miles southeast of SFO on the opposite side of the bay. Just to put it in perspective, I live 30 miles NORTH of SFO with more bay in between us and the quake was strong enough to send us out of the house in a hurry.  :-D

The controllers at SFO sure felt it too apparently!!!

It starts at the beginning of the clip, when the SFO local controller announces that there is a "pretty big earthquake going on," and UAL1599 (an A320) is on final (presumably for runway 28R).

Everyone in the tower then continue to control traffic while the earthquake is still going on. At 15 seconds in, the ground is still shaking, and SFO TWR tells UAL1599 to go around.

At 26 seconds into it she remarks "It's a pretty big one!"

At 48 seconds in she says it's still going...

Sometime presumably between then and 1 minute 12 sec the earthquake stops, and the remainder of the recording is a ballet of "at your discreation" landing and takeoff clearances while mobile trucks inspect all the runways for damage, which doesn't sit so well with a United captain at the end of the clip. I tried to end it on a lighter note with a longer file, but exceeded the size limit and had to cut alot out.

Having done a couple tower tours, I remember being surprised by how much you can feel the cab actually MOVING, even in light winds. I can't even imagine how terrifyingly well they must have felt every sway of that building during the near minute-long quake, and the fact that they maintained their composure and controlled traffic through the whole thing was an incredible show of professionalism.

This was my first attempt at editing a clip with Audacity and I hope you enjoyed it - It's definitely a departure from the routine!

Way to go SFO Tower! :)

Regards,

Inigo
« Last Edit: November 02, 2007, 08:56:36 AM by inigo88 »



Offline Check Airman

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2007, 09:45:00 AM »
Excellent catch! Always wondered what would happen with ATC if there was an earthquake. I don't understand why ground traffic was still moving. I'd imagine that everyone would have stopped. Bravo Zulu to the ATCO for remaining calm and professional.

Offline Biff

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2007, 09:52:45 AM »
That's pretty wild.  :)

Great job editing the clip!

Offline moto400ex

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2007, 10:13:00 AM »
Controller sounds hot. :wink:

Offline cessna157

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2007, 02:43:12 PM »
"Uh, tower, I'd like to put in a pirep for some continuous moderate chop on taxiway juliett"

Offline moto400ex

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2007, 02:58:04 PM »
"Uh, tower, I'd like to put in a pirep for some continuous moderate chop on taxiway juliett"


LOL

Offline Fryy/Avocadoflight

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2007, 05:15:35 PM »
Yeah I guess the windows in the tower at KSJC cracked during the quake.

Offline A_J_D_C

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2007, 08:30:22 AM »
Dont know if you picked it up or not. but i think there was a little bit of a annoyed pilot at the end of the clip when he was asked if he was going to be able to take off. i love her response back to him...

 "ok 1582 if you carn't take it at your discretion make the right turn on mike and hold short of rwy 1R...."

Offline Check Airman

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2007, 08:55:19 AM »
"Uh, tower, I'd like to put in a pirep for some continuous moderate chop on taxiway juliett"

LOLOLOLOLOL

Offline bphendri

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2007, 11:27:48 PM »
Was it just me, or does it sound like someone in the cab was clapping during the other controllers response to the UAL pilot?


Offline dylanh

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2007, 12:32:38 AM »
I was staying at the Fairfield Inn across the parking lot from KSQL (San Carlos) watching Family Guy when it hit.  Because of the initial large jolt, my first thought was "Did a fu@#!ng airplane just crash into the hotel?" Then the whole damn hotel rumbled for 20 seconds.  Very unnerving!

Offline pete5668

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2007, 08:53:41 PM »
I was staying at the Fairfield Inn across the parking lot from KSQL (San Carlos) watching Family Guy when it hit.  Because of the initial large jolt, my first thought was "Did a fu@#!ng airplane just crash into the hotel?" Then the whole damn hotel rumbled for 20 seconds.  Very unnerving!

Thanks for the business at that Fairfield Inn from a Marriott reservationist out of the Solon, OH call center. I hope you enjoyed your stay!


Offline Squawk 7700

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2007, 01:53:18 PM »
Nice catch inigo88. :-)
Audacity is a great (free) editing tool. I'm using it now for a post I'll be submitting later.
Thanks for sharing!
« Last Edit: November 11, 2007, 01:57:56 PM by Squawk 7700 »

Offline aviator_06

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2007, 02:47:26 PM »
"Uh, tower, I'd like to put in a pirep for some continuous moderate chop on taxiway juliett"

LOL! Love the comment!^^^

Offline SFOetthekid

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2007, 01:28:17 AM »
Yeah I guess the windows in the tower at KSJC cracked during the quake.

Not precisely I heard it was the nearby Reid-Hillview in Palo Alto that had the windows cracked. I'm not quite sure... But with the earthquake, that was the biggest quake I ever felt (I wasn't here in 1989), and I'd assumed this happened with SFO having to turn flights around.

xprtmarksman

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2007, 09:44:30 PM »
United 1682 is an asshole, the female controller was just doing her best and he replies with a smart ass response.  Being ATC myself I hate pilots like that, and I can't wait for them to return because I get them for every mistake I can.

Offline tremendous

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2007, 10:56:15 AM »
she sounds very very relaxed

Offline cessna157

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #17 on: November 27, 2007, 11:06:18 AM »
she sounds very very relaxed

Haha
"For all aircraft on frequency, if anyone cares, we're having another earthquake.  It's just another normal day here in SFO.  <yawn>"

Offline aviator_06

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Re: SFO TWR makes aircraft go around because of Earthquake!
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2007, 11:08:44 PM »
I wounder if the runway looks like its shaking when your on final during an earthquake?