airtraffic

Author Topic: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil  (Read 12140 times)

Offline dave

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Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« on: July 17, 2007, 11:33:13 PM »
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in Brazil.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070718/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_plane_crash



Offline KPryor

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2007, 08:45:05 AM »
Yes, a terrible tragedy indeed.
KP

Offline KMSY

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2007, 12:02:23 PM »
That's unfortunate. Some runways are just too short - errors cause far greater consequences when they're short like that. How could they let a runway operate like that, without the grooving and all?

Offline ORD Don

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2007, 12:14:47 PM »
  Tragically, this was an accident waiting to happen. With two short runways,
  and being completely surrounded by buildings and residences, there was
  absolutely no room for error. Everyone new it was dangerous, but as usual,
  nothing gets done until there is a terrible, tragic loss of life.
  
  Our thoughts and prayers to the loved ones...

Offline dorishd

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2007, 12:46:46 PM »
Its amazing that this was allowed to happen knowing the history of that particular runway, even when it is in proper condition ( grooving )

Offline tyketto

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2007, 01:17:34 PM »
That's unfortunate. Some runways are just too short - errors cause far greater consequences when they're short like that. How could they let a runway operate like that, without the grooving and all?

I don't think the length of the runway was an issue, especially for the A320, which was the plane in question. From looking at the layout, the runway in question is about 6300ft long. By contrast, 19R/1L at KSNA is 5701ft long, and the heaviest jets they have landing and departing there are B757s, A300s, and A310s. A320s, B737s, B717s/MD80s should be able to handle 6300ft with no problem.

The Media is saying that the runway is too short; but then again, has the media reported anything right, when it comes to incidents like this, or even good plugs for that matter?  :roll:  :-)

Offline KSYR-pjr

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2007, 02:52:47 PM »
A better explanation than a short runway is right there in the opening paragraphs of the article Dave linked above (emphasis below is mine):

Quote from: Article
SAO PAULO, Brazil - The pilot of an airliner that burst into flames after trying to land on a short, rain-slicked runway apparently tried to take off again, barely clearing rush-hour traffic on a major highway. The death toll rose Wednesday to 189 and could climb higher.

The TAM airlines Airbus-320 flight that originated in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil on Tuesday cleared the airport fence at the end of the runway and the busy highway but slammed into a gas station and a TAM building, causing an inferno.

Any runway could be too short if an improper landing is aborted by taking off again.

Offline KPryor

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2007, 10:57:57 AM »
It's frustrating how the media will report speculation as fact just so they can be the first to report something.  Plane crashes seem to put them in "report first, verify later" mode more than anything else.  Unless I've missed something, I don't see how anyone could know yet if the pilot attempted to go around.  It's no wonder no one trusts the media much these days.
KP

Offline avalon

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Offline gustavob

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2007, 01:19:03 PM »
Any further updates?

This is the latest I've read...
Quote
Focus in Brazil jetliner crash shifts from runway.
Debate over the cause of Brazil's worst air crash shifted on Thursday from widespread claims of a faulty runway to potential pilot error or failure of the plane's brakes

Offline tyketto

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2007, 02:09:21 PM »
Any further updates?

This is the latest I've read...
Quote
Focus in Brazil jetliner crash shifts from runway.
Debate over the cause of Brazil's worst air crash shifted on Thursday from widespread claims of a faulty runway to potential pilot error or failure of the plane's brakes

Doubt it's the brakes, especially if a thrust reverser was turned off, let alone not to be fixed until after the next scheduled flight. The runway wasn't grooved, so the water remained on the runway, but it definitely did not have anything to do with the length of the runway.

BL.

Offline MathFox

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Re: Crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2007, 02:19:11 PM »
There is some news about the cause, it is blamed on pilot error:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20070728174338603C188950

Quote
While the left turbine was thrust in reverse and was helping the aeroplane slow down, the right one was accelerating, according to Veja.

Contrary to earlier reports the plane did not skid on the wet runway, nor did the aeroplane's brakes malfunction.

In defense of the pilot I'ld mention that the malfunctioning thrust reverser played an essential role...