Tales from the Flight Deck Podcast: Qantas QF30 and the Mysterious Explosion

Captain John Bartels and crew were flying in a Boeing 747 in perfect conditions when a sudden explosion caught their attention, made the wings rock, and destroyed some essential wiring. In this episode of Tales from the Flight Deck, Bartels describes the event and how he and the crew of QF30 handled the sudden emergency situation.

An Airbus A330 crew experienced something they’d never trained for: too much power to land and no way to pull the throttles back to reduce power. Cathay Pacific Flight 780 was on the final leg of a trip from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Hong Kong International Airport with 309 passengers and 13 crew on board when this dangerous incident occurred. Captain Malcolm Waters takes us step by step through how this happened, how he and his crew handled the situation and its successful outcome, and the lessons he and his crew learned from that hazardous situation. This podcast is produced by AIN Publications, publishers of Aviation International News magazine and AIN’s online and digital products. For more information, go to www.ainonline.com or email [email protected].

In this week’s episode, AIN London-based editor Charles Alcock gives an overview of the latest WingX data, which indicates that business aviation flight activity is awakening from its Covid-19-induced slumber. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch highlights the results from Bombardier’s first-quarter results and, unfortunately, layoffs at NBAA. AIN news editor Chad Trautvetter discusses layoffs at Gulfstream Aerospace and a bankruptcy filing at JetSuite, and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber concludes with Daher’s delivery of the first 2020 TBM 940, which comes standard with the HomeSafe autoland system.

A routine air cargo run from Miami to Houston meets a tragic end, and information released by investigators paints the picture of a confused flight crew fighting desperately to regain control, and may also highlight ongoing concerns about pilot training within our industry. Today, we examine the NTSB docket on the downing of Atlas Air 3591 and what lessons that all pilots may draw from it. Participants: Phil Randolph (pseudonym), B767-300 Captain Kipp Lau, pilot, aviation journalist Rob Finfrock, pilot, aviation journalist

On Oct. 7, 2008, Qantas Flight 72 was flying over the Indian Ocean from Singapore to Perth, Australia. Kevin Sullivan, pilot-in-command of the Airbus A330, was flying on autopilot at 37,000 feet when suddenly warnings started sounding throughout the cockpit; the primary flight control computers were malfunctioning. The aircraft began to pitch down, and Sullivan realized he was just another passenger, for a short time unable to control the errant Airbus. After regaining control of the A330, Sullivan then had to decide whether to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport, the military field at Learmonth, or continue another hour and a half to Perth. In this episode, Sullivan recounts how he was able to identify the issues affecting the A330's fly-by-wire flight controls and minimize damage while planning how how to keep his 303 passengers safe. Sullivan continues his tale of Qantas Flight 72 and how he was able to land the aircraft at the military field at Learmonth Airport. He also speaks about how the experience affects him today. In this episode we will hear from: Kevin Sullivan, pilot-in-command of the Airbus A330 Bill Palmer, author of Understanding Air France 447 and A330 pilot Gary Rower, A330 pilot, flight instructor and airshow performer Malcolm Yeo, retired pilot and passenger on Qantas Flight 72 Topics in this episode include: Primary flight control computer  Fly-by-wire system operation Equipment malfunction Autopilot versus manual flying

It's an all-too human tendency, borne from our natural desire to find quicker solutions not only on the flight deck - but also in our daily lives. It's also something all pilots are likely guilty of, especially if you have thousands of hours as pilot in command. Today we explore why pilots choose to break the rules, and what can be done to overcome the natural desire to look for shortcuts, even when we fly. Participants: Michael Ott, director of government contracting and an international captain for Phoenix Air Group Charlie Precourt, NASA astronaut, former F-15 test pilot and instructor chairman of the Citation Jet Pilots Association's Safety Committee Rickey Smith, chief pilot at Phoenix Air Group Tom Turner, CFII and Executive Director for the American Bonanza Society's Air Safety Foundation

A Southwest Airlines flight crew finds themselves in a situation they'd never experienced before when their Boeing 737 suffers an uncontained engine failure on a flight from New York to Dallas, leaving them mere moments to make the right decisions to save their compromised aircraft and their passengers. Although the crew is able to maintain control of their stricken aircraft and later guiding it to a successful emergency landing in Philadelphia, the event was not without casualties - something that continues to weigh on the mind of the flight’s captain, who was heralded as a hero. Today, Tammie Jo Shults shares her aviation story, her thoughts on training proficiency and cockpit automation... and the lessons she took away from Flight 1380. Participant: Southwest Airlines Captain Tammie Jo Shults

Over the past five years, one of the world’s most popular, dependable aircraft has been involved in a series of accidents—all of them fatal, all of them on takeoff. In each case, the Beechcraft King Airs appeared to roll or yaw to the left during a possible engine malfunction and within seconds, crashed. What might be happening here? And what can pilots do to save their planes, their passengers and their lives? Participants: Edward Hench (pseudonym), King Air 350 crewmember Kipp Lau, pilot, aviation journalist Marc Fruchter, aviation safety consultant Lee Coffman, aviation safety consultant, King Air maintenance expert

Pilots are keenly aware about physical issues that might ground them from flying, including vision problems, cancer, and heart trouble. But mental and emotional issues can also cause problems if brought onto the flight deck. One of them is grief—the human response to losing someone or something we cherish. But even though they’re often unwilling to admit they need help coping with grief, pilots don’t have to do it alone. Participants: Rob Finfrock, aviation writer Greg Farley, Senior Global Captain for Deere & Company Aviation Services and chairman of the Fitness for Duty Working Group of the National Business Aviation Association Safety Committee Bert Botta, corporate pilot, formerly Professional Standards Committee chairman for TWA’s chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, or ALPA David Miller, director and co-founder of the Citation Jet Pilots Association and chairman of the group’s Safety and Education Foundation

Mistaking diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) additive for fuel system icing inhibitor PRIST on the flight line is a growing problem on ramps all over the world. This can be disastrous since DEF causes jet-A to crystalize and clog aircraft fuel filters and lines. In fact, DEF contamination of jet-A has already forced several business aircraft crews to perform engine-out landings in the U.S. and elsewhere.   Participants: Alex Beringer, Chief Operations Officer, Fair Wind Charters Ryan Smith, Captain, Falcon 900EX, Fair Wind Charters Michael Rossi, First Officer, Falcon 900EX, Fair Wind Charters