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Brand spanking new A330 versus tug

A friend of mine at Qantas has just sent me this E mail

You’ve just taken delivery of a brand new Qantas Airbus
A330………..

It’s time to tow it from the hanger across to the terminal for
its
maiden
passenger flight but no one can find the A330 tow bar.

No worries – we’ll use a Boeing 767 one!

Sheer pin in the tow bar breaks and the aircraft keeps
rolling……………

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By: Bmused55 - 26th September 2004 at 14:38

I’m just waiting for Sandy to say they used the right pin but the wrong plane (lol) :diablo:

indeed 😉

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By: beistrich - 26th September 2004 at 14:02

I’m just waiting for Sandy to say they used the right pin but the wrong plane (lol) :diablo:

Well wait and see 😀

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By: Whiskey Delta - 26th September 2004 at 13:51

Let me throw a spanner in the works; What about the person who is in the cockpit who operates the parking brake at an appropriate time?

Given the height of the cockpit there is a good chance that the cockpit crew can’t even see the tug during a pushback (I don’t know, I’ve never been in an A330). A standard procedure is to have established communications between the cockpit and ramp crews. Without a ground person announcing “Set Brakes” the cockpit crew would assume that everything is normal.

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By: Ren Frew - 26th September 2004 at 13:32

Let me throw a spanner in the works; What about the person who is in the cockpit who operates the parking brake at an appropriate time?

I think it’s very easy to point the finger, very easy, but the person should have disciplinary action taken for using incorrect equipment/procedures!

I’m just waiting for Sandy to say they used the right pin but the wrong plane (lol) :diablo:

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By: Ren Frew - 26th September 2004 at 13:19

The shear-pin snapped, disconnecting the tug and tow-bar from the plane. The tug driver’s natural reaction would be to stop and see what has happened, whereas the plane would carry on rolling as it was moving and hit the tug.

That would explain it, although perhaps the tug driver may have wanted to put his foot on the gas a little?

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By: wannabe pilot - 26th September 2004 at 13:16

The shear-pin snapped, disconnecting the tug and tow-bar from the plane. The tug driver’s natural reaction would be to stop and see what has happened, whereas the plane would carry on rolling as it was moving and hit the tug.

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By: Ren Frew - 26th September 2004 at 13:13

I’m still confused… surely the forces being applied by the tug at the time the bolt sheared would have been sufficient to send it careering away from the A330 ? If the A330 was moving under it’s own inertia then why would the tug suddenly stop ?

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By: Bmused55 - 26th September 2004 at 13:00

But how did it manage to get the port engine to collide with the tug which presumably would have been under the nose at the time ?

Swerve perhaps ? :confused:

The shear bolt sheared. Presumably while in a left turn. The tug would have remained still after that and the A330 is said to have continued rolling.

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By: Ren Frew - 26th September 2004 at 12:17

seems it collided with the tug. Hence the thread title :rolleyes:

But how did it manage to get the port engine to collide with the tug which presumably would have been under the nose at the time ?

Swerve perhaps ? :confused:

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By: Bmused55 - 26th September 2004 at 11:48

How much is it going to cost I wonder and what exactly did it collide with ?

seems it collided with the tug. Hence the thread title :rolleyes:

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By: Ren Frew - 26th September 2004 at 11:28

How much is it going to cost I wonder and what exactly did it collide with ?

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By: wysiwyg - 26th September 2004 at 09:43

I can see a rather easy get out for the insurance company! This is going to cost.

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By: steve rowell - 25th September 2004 at 07:03

Bloody idiots. Are they planning to use the A330 on prime domestic routes like Sydney to Perth, for instance? I think it would be a good idea as them 767s are knackered!

They’re being used domestically at the moment, but i believe they’ll be used on International routes in the very near future, as far as the 767’s, go i think your possibly thinking of the Ansett birds

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By: MANAIRPORTMAD - 24th September 2004 at 21:00

Wow, I know Im a planespotter but i thought i’d never feel sorry for a plane….lol

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By: MEA380 - 24th September 2004 at 20:05

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, that’s bad !!

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By: Airline owner - 24th September 2004 at 19:38

I would have thought Airbus would provide a tow bar. Not a good start for the airliner though

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By: SHAMROCK321 - 24th September 2004 at 18:25

OMG who evers idea that was deserves to be sacked.Fools.

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By: wannabe pilot - 24th September 2004 at 17:50

Bloody idiots. Are they planning to use the A330 on prime domestic routes like Sydney to Perth, for instance? I think it would be a good idea as them 767s are knackered!

When was the last time you flew on one? Or are you just making assumptions again? I flew on one 3 months ago, and as Mongu said it was fine. Very clean, nice interior and was much, much better than the BA 767 I flew on later that day.

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By: cheesebag - 24th September 2004 at 16:05

I fought the tug and the tug won…..!!!!

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By: LBARULES - 24th September 2004 at 15:43

Someone will be getting their P45! I imagine that aircraft will be ‘cursed’ for life now 🙂

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