747 down in Afghanistan | FerrariChat

747 down in Afghanistan

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by MarkPDX, Apr 29, 2013.

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  1. MarkPDX

    MarkPDX F1 World Champ
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    Apr 21, 2003
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    It's been a rough month at Bagram with the F-16 running into a mountain at the start of the month, the MC-12 in bad weather a few days ago and now a 747.

    ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-428BCF N949CA Bagram Air Base (BPM)

    From what I hear they were hauling some vehicles and it sounds like there made have been a shift in the load. No idea how the 747 is with a load shift but I'm guessing it's as bad as any other plane.
     
  2. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    This sounds like the incident that happened to Ernie Gann while flying in the middle east during the war. He took off in a C-47 carrying a load of radio antenna towers. Little did he know that they were not secured to the deck and when he started his climb the load shifted aft and he had to apply full forward yoke and max power and managed to stagger away from the runway. This incident sounds plausible.
     
  3. alum04org

    alum04org F1 Rookie
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    Apr 23, 2009
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    Michigan will not be back home. Per TV news tonight.

    Out of Willow Run, 8 miles south of us. R.I.P.

    I hope I am wrong.
     
  4. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    There was a similar situation a while back with I believe a DC-8 where the cargo shifted on rotation. Real shame, I remember being the SO on the 747-200F. A big part of my preflight was the outside walk around and then the cargo deck. We placed a lot of emphasis on checking every down lock. I wonder if these guys were rushed or really tired. Other than the possibility of someone shooting at you the runway and airfield are pretty straight foward.
     
  5. RWatters

    RWatters Formula 3

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  6. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
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    Wow, I can't say I've ever seen anything like that. Terrible loss.

    My brother was a cargo-master flying in an out of that area for years. Thankfully stateside now.
     
  7. Michiel

    Michiel Formula 3

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  8. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

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    Complete departure. Gotta be a load shift. Too bad.
     
  9. Cozmic_Kid

    Cozmic_Kid F1 Veteran

    Dec 1, 2005
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    WTH happened there?? It's like it stopped dead right there in the middle of nothing.

    That's the weirdest plane crash I have ever seen.

    R.I.P.
     
  10. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,369
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    That's most likely the plane stalling before its fateful descent. In very simple terms, if the load shifts rearwards enough, then you will get to a point where the CG moves so far aft that the plane stands on end causing a stall and inevitable downing. However, remember, that at this stage all talk of load shifting is guesswork pending a full and proper investigation.

    RIP the crew. Very sad.
     
  11. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Load shift means it wasnt properly secured?
     
  12. bbs911

    bbs911 Formula Junior

    May 31, 2007
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    Or weight and balance calculated wrong?
     
  13. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Probably load not properly secured... it got off the ground seemingly OK, then went nose-up after rotation.
     
  14. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    +1 :(

    I wonder if Lou (or his FO?) do load checks "religiously" prior to flight?

    Seems someone screwed the pooch here.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  15. FERRARI-TECH

    FERRARI-TECH Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2006
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    That video scared the crap out of me just watching it...Those poor people, I cant imagine what was going through there minds, hopefully doing checks and not enough time to comprehend the inevitable.

    RIP very sad.
     
  16. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    At least it was quick.

    Art
     
  17. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    If they died on impact, instead of the fire.

    Very sad for the crew. Truly tragic.
     
  18. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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  19. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    Terrifying crash. It must have lasted a lifetime for the those on the flightdeck as it just looked like slow motion even on video given the size of the 747. Hopefully they went quickly and didn't have a long death in flames.
     
  20. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    I suppose that I should keep my stuff to myself, but I have been several violent incidents and the short time that it takes to reach completion, there is no time to think or to do very much. Sometimes the crew is so busy trying regain control or to fix a problem in a rapidly evolving scenario that they don't have time to stew about their problem. Impact is painless and very quick, waking up afterwards (if you survive) is when your mind and body make you very uncomfortable. That crew didn't feel very much, if anything.
     
  21. toggie

    toggie F1 World Champ
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    #22 toggie, Apr 30, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2013
    I agree. But it is good to learn from the disasters that happen to others, as sad as that is.

    My instructor drilled into me several safety precautions about stalling near the airport:
    - never bank more than 30 degrees while in the pattern.
    - watch your airspeed and hit your target speeds on each leg when flying the pattern (downwind, base, final, and the flare).
    - put the nose down a little when you're doing a forward slip on final (realize you are cross-controlled when doing the forward slip - if you stall, you'll likely spin into the ground).
    - If you can't make the turn from base to final, that is what a go-around is for. Don't be afraid to announce on the radio that you are going around, flying the upwind leg, and staying in the pattern.
    - always do a weight & balance calculation before every flight with passengers and/or luggage. He even helped me build a spreadsheet for the specific planes I fly so it is fast & easy to do the calculation (no excuse that it takes too much time).

    .
     
  22. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    I'm guessing that the load broke loose and slid rearward during the acceleration for takeoff.

    It must have been terrifying as well for the people on the road, seeing this massive airplane descending in front of them, obviously out of control.
     
  23. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    I suppose those guys in the Air France plane had it much worse. Many minutes of trying to figure out why the plane was crashing from 38,000 feet to no avail.

    I always think about the crew who crashed off the coast of California in Alaska air. They fought and fought and eventually, lost control to head straight down. Must have been terrifying.
     
  24. Juan-Manuel Fantango

    Juan-Manuel Fantango F1 World Champ
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    God, that must be a hardened veteran in the vehicle with video. Did you note there was no shouts like OMG, nothing, just an under the breath "oh ****" a minute or so after the crash. Cool as a cucumber. RIP poor souls....and prayers for their families.
     

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