Plastic Plane Fire
Author
Discussion

Nottospec

Original Poster:

8 posts

191 months

Thursday 11th November 2010
quotequote all
Well now it's Boeings turn to be in the news, and not in a good way either. ZA002, one of Boeings 787 Fleet has had an in flight electrical fire in its aft electrical equipment bay. The fire caused a series of cascading failures including some of the flight deck displays and the auto throttle system. The extent of the damage to the aircrafts systems and composite primary structure has not been officially disclosed by Boeing, but is believed to be extensive. I bet All Nippon Airways were well impressed as the plane was in their colours at the time. Plastic Planes and fires don't mix, just think of Airfix kits on the bonfire. Give me aluminium anyday, it still burns eventually but it gives me a better feeling of security, correctly or not.

john_p

7,073 posts

280 months

Thursday 11th November 2010
quotequote all
I applaud any company that advances the industry that they work in, at significant cost to themselves and massive commercial risk if they get it wrong. Without innovation we'd be nowhere. Kudos to Boeing with the 787, Airbus with the A380, any other manufacturer in any industry who takes technology that we know as mundane and moves it through the generations.

SeeFive

8,353 posts

263 months

Thursday 11th November 2010
quotequote all
It happens on the aluminium stuff too. I was on an A340 out of Sydney yesterday. When the pilot started the engines, the cabin filled with smoke. After a 4 hour delay they had found the fault and we set off for Abu Dhabi with no further fuss.

I guess if the airline will paint its planes in F1 colours (this was one of the two), they will obviously break down smile

WhoseGeneration

4,090 posts

237 months

Friday 12th November 2010
quotequote all
Nottospec said:
Well now it's Boeings turn to be in the news, and not in a good way either. ZA002, one of Boeings 787 Fleet has had an in flight electrical fire in its aft electrical equipment bay. The fire caused a series of cascading failures including some of the flight deck displays and the auto throttle system. The extent of the damage to the aircrafts systems and composite primary structure has not been officially disclosed by Boeing, but is believed to be extensive. I bet All Nippon Airways were well impressed as the plane was in their colours at the time. Plastic Planes and fires don't mix, just think of Airfix kits on the bonfire. Give me aluminium anyday, it still burns eventually but it gives me a better feeling of security, correctly or not.
Perhaps you should look up the history of the 747.
Some thought that size of airplane would never be required.
Nearly bankrupted Boeing.
Today, want to suggest the 747 was not worth Boeing's effort?

Jasandjules

72,622 posts

259 months

Friday 12th November 2010
quotequote all
Well I didn't think wood would be a good idea to build aircraft out of but fighter bombers have been made out of wood..... It never ceases to amaze me, the ingenuity of humans.

Dave Angel

3,091 posts

206 months

Friday 12th November 2010
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
Well I didn't think wood would be a good idea to build aircraft out of but fighter bombers have been made out of wood..... It never ceases to amaze me, the ingenuity of humans.
Mosquito? Made from plywood IIRC.

anonymous-user

84 months

Friday 12th November 2010
quotequote all
john_p said:
I applaud any company that advances the industry that they work in, at significant cost to themselves and massive commercial risk if they get it wrong. Without innovation we'd be nowhere. Kudos to Boeing with the 787, Airbus with the A380, any other manufacturer in any industry who takes technology that we know as mundane and moves it through the generations.
I would rather they didn't experiment with customers and paying passengers in such a big way as part of the process - that goes for both Airbus and Boeing.

This'll be a good time for Boeing to try out the composite panel repairs - wonder whether ANA will be happy accepting this aircraft.

WhoseGeneration

4,090 posts

237 months

Saturday 13th November 2010
quotequote all
coanda said:
I would rather they didn't experiment with customers and paying passengers in such a big way as part of the process - that goes for both Airbus and Boeing.

This'll be a good time for Boeing to try out the composite panel repairs - wonder whether ANA will be happy accepting this aircraft.
Perhaps best you don't indulge in air travel then.
You weren't considering this stuff in the turboprop days I assume?
Oh, don't travel in a car, look up the relevant statistics.
Bus for you then.
Where's your next holiday destination?

Jasandjules

72,622 posts

259 months

Saturday 13th November 2010
quotequote all
Dave Angel said:
Jasandjules said:
Well I didn't think wood would be a good idea to build aircraft out of but fighter bombers have been made out of wood..... It never ceases to amaze me, the ingenuity of humans.
Mosquito? Made from plywood IIRC.
Yes indeed. Amazing isn't it?

eldar

25,298 posts

226 months

Saturday 13th November 2010
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Always surprised me that wooden boats sank, and iron ones floated. Witchcraft...

Dave Angel

3,091 posts

206 months

Saturday 13th November 2010
quotequote all
eldar said:
Always surprised me that wooden boats sank, and iron ones floated. Witchcraft...
biglaugh