When has a commercial flight genuinely ‘unnerved’ you.
Discussion
I’m sure many/most of you are fine when flying and rarely feel uneasy. But what instances have had genuinely alarmed you?
For me, I’ve had a couple, the first was an EasyJet flight into Naples that seemed to struggle to maintain its wings level as it came in way too low (probably around 1-200ft from the buildings) for at least 1km and obviously not using ILS. When disembarking I noticed 3 pilots in the cockpit, so assume the one in training was the pilot flying for the approach/landing.
The second was an early morning flight out of Manchester, the taxiway had quite a que and the aircraft were taking off in short intervals, I was on a Ryanair 737, the aircraft in front was an Ethiad 777, the 777 went for takeoff and my flight proceeded to line up on the runway. Just as I started to wonder how long they’d wait to avoid wake, they initiated takeoff, then about 10 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft started to violently shift about and as some of you will know, wake turbulence is very different to normal turbulence. We then banked at what felt like 90 degrees to the right, whether this was a result of the wake I don’t know, but it had me perspiring a little
For me, I’ve had a couple, the first was an EasyJet flight into Naples that seemed to struggle to maintain its wings level as it came in way too low (probably around 1-200ft from the buildings) for at least 1km and obviously not using ILS. When disembarking I noticed 3 pilots in the cockpit, so assume the one in training was the pilot flying for the approach/landing.
The second was an early morning flight out of Manchester, the taxiway had quite a que and the aircraft were taking off in short intervals, I was on a Ryanair 737, the aircraft in front was an Ethiad 777, the 777 went for takeoff and my flight proceeded to line up on the runway. Just as I started to wonder how long they’d wait to avoid wake, they initiated takeoff, then about 10 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft started to violently shift about and as some of you will know, wake turbulence is very different to normal turbulence. We then banked at what felt like 90 degrees to the right, whether this was a result of the wake I don’t know, but it had me perspiring a little
Edited by S366 on Sunday 29th December 22:49
Edinburgh to Heathrow in Spt '94 to big up my 1st 'stupid' car.
Sat morning flight, near empty and coming in to land, when we all of a sudden hit full throttle and pull up at a ridiculously angle....we then had to circle for about an hour before an 2nd landing.
Apparently something was taking off on the runway we were about to land on.
Sat morning flight, near empty and coming in to land, when we all of a sudden hit full throttle and pull up at a ridiculously angle....we then had to circle for about an hour before an 2nd landing.
Apparently something was taking off on the runway we were about to land on.
Flying SAS from Manchester to Bergen back in early naughties with my two young sons. Announcement came over that there was a burning smell in the cockpit and we're heading to Billund in Denmark for an emergency landing. They weren't messing about either - f
k me, did that plane loose altitude quickly. Fortunately, the kids were not really aware what was happening. I think it took all of the 8 hour layover in Billund for my heart rate to normalise.
k me, did that plane loose altitude quickly. Fortunately, the kids were not really aware what was happening. I think it took all of the 8 hour layover in Billund for my heart rate to normalise.Flying back from Mombasa on a BritCal Tristar in 1996. Strong headwinds made us stop to refuel at Skiathos, we bounced so hard we didn’t touch down again for about 3-4 seconds, which felt like a lifetime.
The pilot announced, “ladies and gentleman, welcome to Skiathos. As you may have guessed I’ve never landed here before.”
Flying into Kephalonia the usual descent and approach went smoothly, we got the gear down and momentarily landed then the pilot suddenly went to full throttle and we took off again but only just cleared the fence at the end of the runway which if you know Keph airport is the edge of the land straight into the sea.
We had done a touch and go, apparently the final approach permission had been granted but after that the crew could not contact the tower at all so never got the final permissions or all clears.
We landed 20+ minutes later and were ushered through customs quickly and not much was said about the whole thing.
My Sister in Law worked in a hire car booth in the airport so found out the tower guy had simply gone out for a smoke and forgotten about the incoming aircraft.
Same trip, the other end, waiting to board, the flight incoming (that we were supposed to be getting on to leave) landed so hard it bent the gear and burst something.
They had to fly a repair crew out with spares and everyone stayed on the island another day until a spare plane could be found.
We had done a touch and go, apparently the final approach permission had been granted but after that the crew could not contact the tower at all so never got the final permissions or all clears.
We landed 20+ minutes later and were ushered through customs quickly and not much was said about the whole thing.
My Sister in Law worked in a hire car booth in the airport so found out the tower guy had simply gone out for a smoke and forgotten about the incoming aircraft.
Same trip, the other end, waiting to board, the flight incoming (that we were supposed to be getting on to leave) landed so hard it bent the gear and burst something.
They had to fly a repair crew out with spares and everyone stayed on the island another day until a spare plane could be found.
A very long time ago I flew on an aircraft from one side of Thailand to the other, it was a twin prop thing with what looked like corrugated iron down the sides, basket weave chairs screwed to the floor and the rear half was full of crates of chickens.
The cabin was separated from the cockpit by a beaded curtain and I sat next to a wizened old lady with a tiny monkey on her shoulder that ate nuts and stared at me for the flight.
It was very Indiana jones, probably the flight I have enjoyed the most, a close tie with flying in a Dakota.
The cabin was separated from the cockpit by a beaded curtain and I sat next to a wizened old lady with a tiny monkey on her shoulder that ate nuts and stared at me for the flight.
It was very Indiana jones, probably the flight I have enjoyed the most, a close tie with flying in a Dakota.
Cyprus Airways. Brand new (apparently) A320 on route to Limassol, Just over Greece I went to the loo, went to sit down and couldn't! Floated for what felt like an eternity then hit the pan!
Left the cubicle and it was carnage, my mate was in the isle, luggage everywhere , masks, open lockers, screaming the whole nine yards!
Captain comes on and say there has been a bit of a problem (no st) and we were diverting to Athens.
Told to assume the position when we were on finals, hit hard, bounced and re landed on the grass, pulled back to the tarmac and stopped.
Emergency evac and bussed to the terminus, what a ride!
What unnerved me? 7 hours at Athens and they gave us one teeny tiny cup of sludge they promised was coffee....
Left the cubicle and it was carnage, my mate was in the isle, luggage everywhere , masks, open lockers, screaming the whole nine yards!
Captain comes on and say there has been a bit of a problem (no s
t) and we were diverting to Athens.Told to assume the position when we were on finals, hit hard, bounced and re landed on the grass, pulled back to the tarmac and stopped.
Emergency evac and bussed to the terminus, what a ride!
What unnerved me? 7 hours at Athens and they gave us one teeny tiny cup of sludge they promised was coffee....
Both times were on the same day at Kuala Lumpur.
First was when the aircraft was taxiing, and whoever was at the controls was hotdogging and you could hear & feel the nose wheel scrubbing madly at every turn. Really careless stuff given it was bone dry. Not sure how many passengers picked up on it.
Second was the takeoff - took three attempts to get off the ground (as in lifting off then touching again) & I was busy trying to remember how long it took to get to the end. Bet we didn't have a lot of margin as it took a *long* time.
Neither was that dramatic but scared me, guess ignorance would have been bliss.
First was when the aircraft was taxiing, and whoever was at the controls was hotdogging and you could hear & feel the nose wheel scrubbing madly at every turn. Really careless stuff given it was bone dry. Not sure how many passengers picked up on it.
Second was the takeoff - took three attempts to get off the ground (as in lifting off then touching again) & I was busy trying to remember how long it took to get to the end. Bet we didn't have a lot of margin as it took a *long* time.
Neither was that dramatic but scared me, guess ignorance would have been bliss.
Several…..
…1st off a Tarom flight into Dubai in some Illuyshin thing. Fog meant as we came in to land we clearly were not where we were supposed to be & cue full thrust & a landing in Abu Dhabi.
…2nd a BMI into Riyadh… on first approach very clear things weren’t right. 2nd approach the same. Wind shear causing problems. Got in on 3rd attempt.
…..3rd a flight from Aktau to Almaty on a Yak42. Board through steps under the tail. Rear bulkhead looks rusty as hell. Interior has carpet barely covering everything. Almost a bare carcus inside. In flight service is on a trolley that is the sort of trolley you’d have in a house. Ask for a beer & get a 750ml bottle. No glass or cup! Flight is bouncing all over the place. Survive journey. At other end pilot & co-pilot are in bus to terminal. Both clearly haven;t shaved for days, scruffy & frankly look like they’ve been out on the tiles for a few nights.
…1st off a Tarom flight into Dubai in some Illuyshin thing. Fog meant as we came in to land we clearly were not where we were supposed to be & cue full thrust & a landing in Abu Dhabi.
…2nd a BMI into Riyadh… on first approach very clear things weren’t right. 2nd approach the same. Wind shear causing problems. Got in on 3rd attempt.
…..3rd a flight from Aktau to Almaty on a Yak42. Board through steps under the tail. Rear bulkhead looks rusty as hell. Interior has carpet barely covering everything. Almost a bare carcus inside. In flight service is on a trolley that is the sort of trolley you’d have in a house. Ask for a beer & get a 750ml bottle. No glass or cup! Flight is bouncing all over the place. Survive journey. At other end pilot & co-pilot are in bus to terminal. Both clearly haven;t shaved for days, scruffy & frankly look like they’ve been out on the tiles for a few nights.
Coming back from Cyprus to Gatwick in the middle of a storm that we found out afterwards had stopped departures from various UK airports.
We were on a direct approach with the seatbelt sign on for what felt like hours and about half an hour before landing the pilot came on and told everyone to make sure their seatbelt was as tight as it would go, and to be facing directly forwards.
The final approach was horrible - it was bouncing all over the place.
As we were taxiing to the gate the pilot came back on and said “Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?”.
We were on a direct approach with the seatbelt sign on for what felt like hours and about half an hour before landing the pilot came on and told everyone to make sure their seatbelt was as tight as it would go, and to be facing directly forwards.
The final approach was horrible - it was bouncing all over the place.
As we were taxiing to the gate the pilot came back on and said “Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?”.
Dan Air fixed wing landing in Shetland, short runway between 2 ranges of hills. Landed long due to blustery conditions and it was toes to the floor to stop before the turf.
Puma from Unst to a rig in the North Sea, engine failure about 1 hour out from Unst. Fortunately a twin engined heli so we were able to make it back at reduced speed.
Puma from Unst to a rig in the North Sea, engine failure about 1 hour out from Unst. Fortunately a twin engined heli so we were able to make it back at reduced speed.
Getragdogleg said:
A very long time ago I flew on an aircraft from one side of Thailand to the other, it was a twin prop thing with what looked like corrugated iron down the sides, basket weave chairs screwed to the floor and the rear half was full of crates of chickens.
The cabin was separated from the cockpit by a beaded curtain and I sat next to a wizened old lady with a tiny monkey on her shoulder that ate nuts and stared at me for the flight.
It was very Indiana jones, probably the flight I have enjoyed the most, a close tie with flying in a Dakota.
I’m like you and would have probably loved it, I remember how excited I was when flying in a little seaplane in the Maldives!!The cabin was separated from the cockpit by a beaded curtain and I sat next to a wizened old lady with a tiny monkey on her shoulder that ate nuts and stared at me for the flight.
It was very Indiana jones, probably the flight I have enjoyed the most, a close tie with flying in a Dakota.
Athlon said:
Cyprus Airways. Brand new (apparently) A320 on route to Limassol, Just over Greece I went to the loo, went to sit down and couldn't! Floated for what felt like an eternity then hit the pan!
Left the cubicle and it was carnage, my mate was in the isle, luggage everywhere , masks, open lockers, screaming the whole nine yards!
Captain comes on and say there has been a bit of a problem (no st) and we were diverting to Athens.
Told to assume the position when we were on finals, hit hard, bounced and re landed on the grass, pulled back to the tarmac and stopped.
Emergency evac and bussed to the terminus, what a ride!
What unnerved me? 7 hours at Athens and they gave us one teeny tiny cup of sludge they promised was coffee....
Yeah, that’s certainly an unnerving one!Left the cubicle and it was carnage, my mate was in the isle, luggage everywhere , masks, open lockers, screaming the whole nine yards!
Captain comes on and say there has been a bit of a problem (no s
t) and we were diverting to Athens.Told to assume the position when we were on finals, hit hard, bounced and re landed on the grass, pulled back to the tarmac and stopped.
Emergency evac and bussed to the terminus, what a ride!
What unnerved me? 7 hours at Athens and they gave us one teeny tiny cup of sludge they promised was coffee....
New aircraft can be glitchy IMO, last year me and a friend were flying back from Florence and we had a connection at CDG(Paris), when we boarded the A220 there, I mentioned to my friend that it seemed like a brand new aircraft and joked that it’ll probably have teething issues. The captain then announced that our ‘take off slot had been delayed’(likely to not cause any alarm to passengers), then 5 mins later, the captain announced that they had a screen display issue and were going to taxi to the AF maintenance hanger to get the maintenance crew to rectify if, I then jokingly said to my friend that they just need to turn it off and again. 20 minutes later, the captain comes out and says that after a full restart of the system’s, we were good to go………..my friend now believes I’m some aviation oracle.
S366 said:
For me, I’ve had a couple, the first was an EasyJet flight into Naples that seemed to struggle to maintain its wings level as it came in way too low (probably around 1-200ft from the buildings) for at least 1km and obviously not using ILS. When disembarking I noticed 3 pilots in the cockpit, so assume the one in training was the pilot flying for the approach/landing.
Naples has an offset ILS, or granted it used to; I haven't been for a while. From memory it's due to the close proximity of terrain with indeed, buildings, situated on them. Last time I went which was many years ago, I let my First Officer fly the approach as he was suitably experienced, gave me the opportunity to "enjoy the scenery" a little more and it does indeed appear that you're unusually close to buildings, although it's actually quite normal for that approach. Coupled with the local wind effects around Mt. Vesuvius, it can be a slightly tricker place to get into. As I recall the final turn to line up with the runway having followed the offset ILS is at quite low level. Three pilots up front doesn't always mean training, it could equally have been a line check or just an auditing flight, possibly a supernumerary for a new pilot. Various reasons why you may have a crew of more than the standard two, aside from training. Always makes the passengers nervous though
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