Cessna Citation in Ash Cloud

[MikeD]

I realize that the ash cloud was not the cause of this accident, but I would like to comment on the armchair captains who are so quick to judge.



So what if they did? Suppose an area was forecast to be free of ash, but they ran into some anyway. Suppose they imeadiatly turned toward clear air, but still suffered damage.

Just because a pilot runs into worse than expected weather, doesn't mean anything about their skill, knowledge, or judgment. This happens EVERY DAY to experianced pros and student pilots alike.

Weather reports can be wrong, and forecasts all have a significant margin of error. Sometimes you can do everything right and still wind up with a smoking hole in the ground.



I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Flying an airplane is NOT SAFE. If you do it long enough you WILL suffer some sort of calamity that results in broken metal and/or bodies. Only complete fools look a accident and say "I could never be that stupid".

Fully agree.

On a similar vein, should we judge the British Airways crew of Flight 9 who unknowingly flew through the ash cloud in 1982 and flamed out all 4 engines on their 747? Surely they shouldve known it was there, even though it couldnt be seen on the WX radar.

Couldve happened to anyone.

Quick to judge, is never good.

 

[dustoff17]

Lol that is not what happened to this airplane. I read the real write up on the incident about a month ago. I don't recall the real cause but it had nothing to do with an ash cloud it think it was related to an oil pressure issue.

Alex.

Absolutely correct! Nothing to do with volcanic ash!

This was caused by a design issue in the fuel control unit that sits up against the engine. Apparently it has a thin wall and developed a leak that sent fuel into an area that is (obviously) not in love with fuel.

The crew was on a ferry flight to service to investigate what they assessed as a "bleed odor" in the cabin from a previous flight. This bleed odor an indicator of the fuel leaking through (who knew).

Bottom line: great photos, no one was hurt, and the plane will fly again!!!

 

[MikeD]

Absolutely correct! Nothing to do with volcanic ash!

This was caused by a design issue in the fuel control unit that sits up against the engine. Apparently it has a thin wall and developed a leak that sent fuel into an area that is (obviously) not in love with fuel.

The crew was on a ferry flight to service to investigate what they assessed as a "bleed odor" in the cabin from a previous flight. This bleed odor an indicator of the fuel leaking through (who knew).

Bottom line: great photos, no one was hurt, and the plane will fly again!!!

But c'mon, the ash story makes for great drama now!

 

[dustoff17]

Go to hand it you galvestonaggie, the ash spam sound a heck of a lot better!!

Hate to dump lava in your shorts!

 

[Mariano]

I'm not expert, but it looks like the damage was produced by FOD or perhaps blade separation from the compressor.

 

[derg]

But c'mon, the ash story makes for great drama now!

"Toniiiiight on Fox 15... Dangerous ash clouds around your airplane... flying your child.... the danger in the skies.... Tonight, after the wacky sports guy and a 15 minute weather report about Arizona's shocking May weather when it's clear, mid 90's and light windszzzzzzzz..."

 

[dustoff17]

I'm not expert, but it looks like the damage was produced by FOD or perhaps blade separation from the compressor.

NOT FOD, NOT ash cloud. There was blade separation (obviously because of the multiple holes in the cowling) but due to the ignition of fuel.

This was a simple design flaw. Amazing such a small flaw could cause this much damage. At least the cabin wasn't compromised - no loss of pressure

 

[mikecweb]

What a bunch of morons!!!

I mean great job!

Wait wut?

 

[minitour]

...if they only had a parachute.

-mini

 

[galvestonaggie]

Well at least we all learned something! Thanks again for everyone's input and clarification, next time I will be a little more careful with the forward button…..It still amazes me that someone would take the time to write such a detailed fake story. Gotta love the internet!

 

[MikeD]

Well at least we all learned something! Thanks again for everyone's input and clarification, next time I will be a little more careful with the forward button…..It still amazes me that someone would take the time to write such a detailed fake story. Gotta love the internet!

The story's not even "fake but accurate."

Dan Rather wouldn't be happy.

 

[SteveC]

The story's not even "fake but accurate."

Dan Rather wouldn't be happy.

I even had an FAA person passing that one on today. I gave him some corrected info (based on things I learned primarily here - thank you!), and his response was: "Steve,
Thanks for the update on this BS I received. That guy is off my "reliable source" list."

 

[dustoff17]

The pictures actually show a FJ44-3A-24 engine that experienced a diffuser failure on a CJ2+ on March 1, 2010. This occurred weeks before the Eyjafjallajökull volcano first erupted in Iceland on March 20th.

It was, in fact, a diffuser failure that was caused by the fuel issue.

Great internet hoax though