Airborne Entertainment

**helldiver** · 03-03-2005, 10:45 AM

I believe it's a Photoshop.

***loki*** · 03-03-2005, 01:53 PM

Actually it isn't a fake.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/cowling.asp

loki

**VApilot2004** · 03-03-2005, 03:35 PM

Yup - NTSB incident report is legit - this has happened a couple of times before according to the website:

A similar photograph on the airliners.net web site captures an Airbus A320 operated by Iberia Airlines that lost two engine covers in-flight in May 2004. Although part of one of the covers hit the right-hand side of the plane's tail, the aircraft was able to return to the Madrid airport and land safely.

A BBC news article from January 2000 also describes an Airtours Airbus A320 that made a safe emergency landing in Stansted Airport after part of its engine cowling fell off onto the runway during take-off from London's Gatwick Airport.

Wonder if that cowling set off any telltale lights in the cockpit - or did the pilots get a report on engine status from the cabin :)

EDIT: I think I would like a few (dozen) drinks after seeing that -

which would be worse - seeing that engine and being able to watch the cowling remains shake - or Hearing about it on the other side of the cabin and not being able to look - either way - good thing it was the MD-95 (717) - T-tail was out of the way - could've been alot worse

**sandgate** · 03-04-2005, 05:00 AM

"good thing it was the MD-95 (717) - T-tail was out of the way - could've been alot worse". ???

Quote: "On July 13, 2004, about 1200 eastern daylight time, an Airbus Industrie A320-233, N951LF, operated by Ryan International Airlines, Inc., as AirTran Airways Flight 4, returned for landing after a portion of the left engine cowling separated from the airplane in flight in the vicinity of Atlanta, Georgia".

Sorry, but where does the T-tail fit into this?

Regards

John

**Atwoo155** · 03-07-2005, 11:17 AM

Speaking of MD-80/95 Don't sit next to the engines. The older models have a tendency to have compressor failier and come apart. When that happens hot compressor blades go shooting through the cowling in all directions even through the hull into the passenger cabin. Just something for you to think about next time you fly.

**KylePrestwood** · 03-07-2005, 11:34 AM

WOAH! Definitely hate to look over, and see that! :-lol It just inspires confidence, doesn't it?

I didn't know the MD-80/90 engines were anymore likely to come apart than others... but I do know exactly what you described happened here a few years ago. A DC-9, or whatever - T tail McDouglas - lost some blades and threw them into the rear part of the cabin at Pensacola Regional. Killed a few people I believe...

Kyle

**BlueDevil** · 03-07-2005, 11:53 AM

That is the silliest thing I've ever heard!!

Those engines have no higher failure rate than any other commercial engine. I would like to see your proof.

**newguy** · 03-07-2005, 12:52 PM

Oh yes, and don't forget that when you fly you defy the laws of gravity, and that we aren't supposed to be up there.

**VApilot2004** · 03-07-2005, 03:34 PM

>Sorry, but where does the T-tail fit into this?

Only in the fog of my imagination - :-lol

I was reading two accident reports - and went with an Airtran incident in my mind when replying. So let's try again:

Good thing the A320 cowling didn't contact the tail on it's way off the A/C - :) it could have been alot worse.

kelly