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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAeroflot jet was heavy with extra fuel before deadly crash landing
Source: Associated Press
May 7, 2019, 3:04 AM EDT / Updated May 7, 2019, 3:39 AM EDT
By Associated Press
MOSCOW A Russian airliner that took off from Moscow was airborne for just 28 minutes before returning to make an emergency landing while still heavy with unburned fuel, which then ignited after a rough touchdown.
Flames quickly engulfed the aircraft, killing 41 of the 78 people aboard. The victims included a recent college graduate from Santa Fe, New Mexico, who was on his way to serve as a fishing guide in northwest Russia.
A day after Sunday's accident at Sheremetyevo airport, Russian news media quoted the pilot, Denis Evdokimov, as saying he followed procedures for landing with excess weight. But the crew reportedly did not dump any fuel, which is common for flights that have to land soon after takeoff to prevent being overly heavy.
The pilot said he was not certain why the Aeroflot plane landed hard. Video showed flames bursting from the jet's underside as it touched down, then raging across the rear of the Sukhoi SSJ100's fuselage within seconds as the airliner bounced down the runway.
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Some of those who escaped were carrying luggage, raising concerns that grabbing their bags may have delayed an evacuation in which every second was critical.
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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/aeroflot-jet-was-heavy-extra-fuel-deadly-crash-landing-n1002671
brooklynite
(93,844 posts)The question is: was there an operational issue that kept the plane from flying while a fuel dump could occur.
PJMcK
(21,916 posts)If there were any fires or electrical problems, dumping the fuel could have caused a catastrophic fire while the plane was still airborne. In such circumstances, pilots face a difficult decision on top of the emergencies they're already dealing with.
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Not all aircraft can dump fuel. As a matter of fact, many aircraft, including the Boeing 737 and 757, for example, do not have this capability and really, they dont need it. On the other hand, Federal Aviation Regulations require certain aircraft, like the Boeing 747 for instance, to have a fuel jettison system. The same holds true for Airbus aircraft; the Airbus A340 and A380 can dump fuel, while the A320 cannot...
https://simpleflying.com/what-happens-when-aircraft-dump-fuel/