Another Asian Airliner Down

[Palehorse]

. . . This morning. . .

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/02/04/newday-transasia-plane-engine-fail.cnn

This link shows a dash cam video of the crash. Killed 20+ as the plane went down in a river. Turbo-Prop.

I first saw this very early this morning, without the highlighting that shows what I spotted first thing:the port engine clearly not at RPM levels of the starboard one, making me strongly suspect engine failure right out of the box.

The pilot was taking off and issued a "Mayday" call 3 times before the crash. . .

[Palehorse]

https://www.youtube.com/v/jKNREZ_u8E8&spfreload=10

[Palehorse]

https://www.youtube.com/v/jKNREZ_u8E8&spfreload=10

Current reports I have seen / read, indicate the pilot did indeed issue a "Mayday" within 2 minutes of takeoff, stating "engine flameout". 

I would not board an Asian Airliner of any make or model while traveling in that area of the world. I would sooner ride shoe leather or walk barefoot for 10,000 miles! 

[Locutus]

I wonder if the person driving the taxi was killed.  It clips the top of the taxi before disappearing over the bridge. 

[Purplelady1040]

I wonder if the person driving the taxi was killed.  It clips the top of the taxi before disappearing over the bridge.

I wondered that also but the news isn't saying.

[The Troll]

I wondered that also but the news isn't saying.

  Both people in taxi cab lived.     It goes to prove that no matter where you are, you can die.  How these two people were really lucky. 

[Palehorse]

So today comes word (speculation?) that the pilot shut down the port side engine; either by mistake or in an effort to restart the starboard engine in a procedure that "requires the shut down of both engines in order to restart"?

I'm no pilot and I certainly do not have any experience in flying a twin engine turbo-prop commercial airliner, but this strikes me as a bit strange. . .

Anybody here know if there is a shred of proof supporting this conjecture surrounding a requirement to shut down both engines before running a restart protocol? (Just doesn't sound right to me).

[Locutus]

Anybody here know if there is a shred of proof supporting this conjecture surrounding a requirement to shut down both engines before running a restart protocol? (Just doesn't sound right to me).

I am a pilot and there shouldn't be any such requirement to shut down an operating engine in the event of a failure in the other. 

This brings me back to my MEI test and the oral examination and check ride with the dude from the FAA.  We were discussing engine out procedures, and the exchange went something like this:

FAA Guy: Locutus, tell me the definition of the critical engine in a multi-engine aircraft.

< Locutus thinks of the textbook definition of critical engine >

Locutus: The critical engine in a multi-engine aircraft is the engine, which if lost, would most adversely affect the performance of the aircraft.

FAA Guy:  That's not the answer I'm looking for.

< Locutus starts to break a sweat thinking he's screwed up >

Locutus: The critical engine in a multi-engine aircraft is the engine, which if lost, would most adversely affect the performance of the aircraft.

FAA Guy:  I'm sorry, but that's just not the answer I'm looking for.

Locutus:  I'm sorry sir, that's the definition as I understand it.  Would you mind telling me the answer that you're looking for?

FAA Guy:  In the case of an engine failure in a multi-engine aircraft, the critical engine is the one that's still running. 



While he caused me to sweat a little bit, the point he was making is that, in many instances, pilots become too distracted by the fact that they have an engine outage, and going through restart procedures.  This causes them to fail to notice other things going on in the cockpit like keeping the working engine running while you hobble back to the airport. It's a point that I have never forgotten. 

[Palehorse]

Thanks Locutus. I was of the opinion that the news reports saying that there was a protocol requiring both engines to be shut down was pure speculation and that it was counter-intuitive to reality.

(Perhaps those reporters should resign from their positions as well?)

I take no small measure of comfort in finding that my thought process remains intact!

[The Troll]

  When you lose an engine on a twin engine airplane and say it's the right engine.  You stomp full right rudder to keep the plane from going into a spin and level the wings.  Then add full power to engine running.  Every twin engine plane made today can maintain altitude on one engine and even climb at lower levels.   

[The Troll]

  I suppose you guys heard about the Chinese couple who walked into a TransAsia ticket counter and told the clerk that they want to CHANCES to Tawain.     

[Locutus]

  I suppose you guys heard about the Chinese couple who walked into a TransAsia ticket counter and told the clerk that they want to CHANCES to Tawain.     

Seems now that they've grounded 10 pilots for failing an oral examination ordered by the government after the crash. 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/11/asia/transasia-crash-pilot-tests/index.html