Passengers left scared as Nok Air flight takeoff aborted

[webfact]

Passengers left scared as Nok Air flight takeoff aborted

 

Image: Sanook

 

BANGKOK: -- A large number of passengers on a Nok Air flight at Don Muang airport were left scared after a takeoff was aborted mid runway.

 

A man on the plane reported that up to half of the passengers didn't feel like continuing their journey after the scary experience, reported Sanook.

 

The Chiang Rai bound flight DD 8722 that left at 4.40pm Wednesday was towed back to the gate where passengers disembarked.

 

An unnamed male passenger shared pictures and text online at the time saying: "I am still on the plane. The passengers were scared and many don't want to continue their journey. I'd say that is about half of them."

 

Nok Air confirmed the incident had happened with a spokesman saying: "The pilot saw an irregularity as the plane was about to take off and aborted. The plane returned safely to the gate.

 

"At 6pm passengers continued on their way on an alternative aircraft. The plane involved in the incident is being checked in line with Nok Air procedures".

 

Source: Sanook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2016-08-05

[DipStick]

Being scared is understandable, but they are better off being scared as opposed to being dead or badly injured. The report states the plane aborted mid runway. 10-15 seconds later and reaching V1 the pilot would have been unable to abort.

[Bob12345]

Quote

"At 6pm passengers continued on their way on an alternative aircraft. The plane involved in the incident is being checked in line with Nok Air procedures".

It didn't take them much time to repaint the numbers on the outside of the plane and tell everybody it is another plane they just found in an old hanger somewhere at the airport.

[mcfish]

Big deal, how is an aborted take off makes news in the first place?

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[tukkytuktuk]

Maybe the mobile phones that were switched on taking photos messed with the airplanes electronics.

[F4UCorsair]

6 hours ago, DipStick said:

Being scared is understandable, but they are better off being scared as opposed to being dead or badly injured. The report states the plane aborted mid runway. 10-15 seconds later and reaching V1 the pilot would have been unable to abort.

Beats me how you could reach that conclusion Dipstick.  10-15 seconds from 'mid runway', presumably from a bystander/ observer report??

There would be runways where the aircraft would be airborne, depending on weight, before 'mid runway.'.

Edited August 5, 2016 by F4UCorsair

[phrisco17]

1 hour ago, tukkytuktuk said:

Maybe the mobile phones that were switched on taking photos messed with the airplanes electronics.

No affect what so ever! Most countries now allow small electronic devices (phones and pads) to be used portal to portal in the airplane mode. If you listen carefully to the briefing (example Thai Smile) you will hear "electronic devices utilizing cellular technology must be switched off" meaning no messaging or 4G, etc. However the crews interpretation is all must be off, no music, movies or games! 

[masuk]

5 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

It didn't take them much time to repaint the numbers on the outside of the plane and tell everybody it is another plane they just found in an old hanger somewhere at the airport.

 

"Hanger" ????

[KhunBENQ]

So I consider myself lucky that my planned Thaismile flight (July 24, KKC - BKK) was cancelled just before planned boarding (hydraulic oil leak found during routine inspection).

3h later I was rebooked to.... Nok Air

Age old plane with worn out/split open seats, bloody cramped.

 

Edited August 5, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The fact that a Nok pilot aborted a takeoff midway down the runway isn't all by itself a problematic issue.

 

However, there are two related issues that are pretty significant.

 

1. what was the actual reason for the aborted takeoff? The OP report merely says the pilot noticed an "irregularity" without specifying what exactly. Was it a mechanical failure or some kind of warning/indicator light, or something entirely different?

 

2. Related to that, the same airline has had a series of other takeoff and landing misadventures over the past few years, some raising questions about the performance of their pilots and/or the condition of their planes. Was this latest episode another example of that?

 

Having to rely on Nok's vague and non-specific public explanation of what occurred, and the likelihood that we'll never hear any independent account/judgment of what happened from any Thai government regulator, are hardly cause for brimming confidence.

 

 

[jacko45k]

I am beginning to feel' too scared to contemplate' where that carrier is concerned.

[geriatrickid]

I no longer am am a member of the Nok Smiles club as I have not flown on the airline in  18 months. However,  before bashing Nok, please remember that Thai Airways owns 39% and provides the training for Nok personnel and the maintenance for the  equipment. I was surprised to read the relationship to Air France. That may explain some things.  

 

"Nok's Aircrafts and our maintenance staffs will fulfill your flying experience with safety and joy to your destinations. We use the same aircrafts and maintenance team as Thai Airways International (PCL), international-standard maintenance system with the same level of other major airlines. Also joint-maintenance with Air France for acquiring engine, components and aircraft maintenance planning. They are regularly trained according to an advanced standard course which is officially accepted by the FAA. "

[masuk]

I think the Nok air crew acted a lot more sensibly, than passengers who held up evacuation of the burning plane in Dubai a few days ago.

 

Believe it or not, after being told to evacuate the plane immediately, the idiots stopped to collect their baggage.

 

It happened a few months ago in another country, where passengers could be seen running away, but holding their cabin baggage.

 

I've seen passengers unclip their seat belts and stand up while the plane is still doing 100kmh+ on the runway.

[dbrenn]

20 hours ago, mcfish said:

Big deal, how is an aborted take off makes news in the first place?

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk
 

Because Nok seems to have more than its fair share of misfortune and has been in the news a lot recently. Lack of concern for safety procedures could be a common denominator. 

Edited August 6, 2016 by dbrenn

[Old Salt]

14 hours ago, masuk said:

 

 

20 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

It didn't take them much time to repaint the numbers on the outside of the plane and tell everybody it is another plane they just found in an old hanger somewhere at the airport.

Some folks have way to much time on their hands to invent stupid remarks like this one... There are conscientious lads in the Aviation Business in Thailand, who if reading such a comment from a visitor (that's all you are... Retired or not) must surely think the rest of us think the same.  The industry is on the improve thanks to a recent ICAO audit and though progress might be slow, it is there.  Be great if some folks could give their 'hosts' a little encouragement now and then.

An aborted takeoff, though rare now days, is a part of aviation that passengers must be well briefed on immediately after such an occurrence.  The pilots in most companies are encouraged to do this and as a result settled nerves and win appreciation for the safety aspect applied.

[manfredtillmann]

it appears that between feb. 06 and jun 16 NOK air had 6 incidents rated accidents: 

http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Air_Accidents.pdf

most of them runway excursions and bird strikes, one cracked windscreen, few or no injuries, no hull losses.

seems like a pretty good performance to me, given that they are performing the highest number of inner - thai flights.

i find their planes new and, given the pittance one pays for their tickets, comfortable with good, friendly service. free lounge and onboard wifi - where else do you get that? and a little bit of free food. and very cute cabin crews.

would not fly domestic thailand with anyone else.

 

by the way, check out who really stands out in that listing posted above. a few surprises there?

[Basil B]

Rejected take-off at high speed... apart from the plane needing new break pads I presume a few flight crew and passengers required a change of underwear...

 

All in, although some may have seen this as a near death experience they will quite happily travel on Thailand's highways and byways without batting an eye lid.... 

 

It seems that there has been a big improvement in Nok Airs air safety following the resignation of 17 pilots Bus Drivers...

Quote

To remedy its shortage of pilots, Nok may be permitted to boost the number of its pilots beyond the 40 percent cap mandated by Thai law according to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The 40 percent pilot quota is set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), which aims to encourage airlines to employ more Thais as pilots.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nok_Air

Edited August 6, 2016 by Basil B

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I think these are the other kinds of things that Nok has made headlines for lately:

 

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/nok-air-seeks-emergency-landing-at-chumphon-airport/145843/

 

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/thailand-is-home-to-4-of-the-worst-airlines-for-safety-in-the-world/128383/

 

 

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Old Salt said:

 

Some folks have way to much time on their hands to invent stupid remarks like this one... There are conscientious lads in the Aviation Business in Thailand, who if reading such a comment from a visitor (that's all you are... Retired or not) must surely think the rest of us think the same.  The industry is on the improve thanks to a recent ICAO audit and though progress might be slow, it is there.  Be great if some folks could give their 'hosts' a little encouragement now and then.

An aborted takeoff, though rare now days, is a part of aviation that passengers must be well briefed on immediately after such an occurrence.  The pilots in most companies are encouraged to do this and as a result settled nerves and win appreciation for the safety aspect applied.

 

I can attest to the fast comments, information from captain to passengers. Some years back on a Cathay flight departing Hong Kong. An explosion in one engine when the aircraft was about 20 or 30 centimeters from the tarmac.  Aircraft thumped back onto the tarmac and within just 2 or 3 seconds the captain was on the intercom system to the passengers explaining quickly and clearly that there was no danger, no fire, etc., and he continued to calm everybody with well chosen words until the aircraft was back at the gate. Well done. 

[Indu Nathan]

On 8/5/2016 at 2:01 PM, Bob12345 said:

It didn't take them much time to repaint the numbers on the outside of the plane and tell everybody it is another plane they just found in an old hanger somewhere at the airport.

(K)nock knock those there? 

[Skeptic7]

Aborted take-offs and landings are not uncommon at all. There are certain procedures and protocols to be followed and a point of 'no return', where other emergency procedures and protocols then kick in. While not an everyday event, it is a safety procedure that has prevented many aviation accidents and the best course of action. Appears this incident was handled properly by the flight crew. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, Skeptic7 said:

 Appears this incident was handled properly by the flight crew. 

 

Except for the fact that NO ONE has explained what the CAUSE was for the aborted takeoff? And some folks here seem totally uninterested in that fact.

 

Was it crew error?  Was it a mechanical malfunction on the plane?  Was there some obstruction or debris spotted on the runway?  Was there conflicting air or ground traffic somewhere?

 

In the absence of any factual answer to what caused the aborted takeoff, you're left with the real possibility that it could very well have been a crew or equipment problem. Unless some other clear, factual explanation is provided. And I haven't seen any forthcoming.

 

[DipStick]

I think the statement that a replacement aircraft was used to continue the journey is a major hint !

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Ya, so, some kind of mechanical problem with the plane, no idea of what kind -- you would think after it had already undergone pre-flight checks and checklist and cleared for takeoff by everyone involved.

 

If so, I'm thinking all that's not an especially good sign for the carrier and the way it operates and maintains its planes.

 

[manfredtillmann]

at any given time of the day there are some 60.000 aircraft in the air all over the planet.

you don't believe that? check this out:

https://www.flightradar24.com/2016-08-02/19:35/12x/15.42,100.7/7

and that's just our region! zoom out to blow your mind...

 

aborted take - off's are a daily and frequent safety measure, the cause can be as simple as a bug stuck in the pitot tube (speed sensor) giving non - matching speed readings to the pilot flying and the first officer.

nok's flying crew has done a good job, discarding economic company interests for flight safety. the one's who really make the headlines are the one's who take off anyway.

[Skeptic7]

On 08/08/2016 at 10:48 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Except for the fact that NO ONE has explained what the CAUSE was for the aborted takeoff? And some folks here seem totally uninterested in that fact.

 

Was it crew error?  Was it a mechanical malfunction on the plane?  Was there some obstruction or debris spotted on the runway?  Was there conflicting air or ground traffic somewhere?

 

In the absence of any factual answer to what caused the aborted takeoff, you're left with the real possibility that it could very well have been a crew or equipment problem. Unless some other clear, factual explanation is provided. And I haven't seen any forthcoming.

 

OF COURSE it was a crew or equipment problem! What the hell else could it possibly be?!? Regardless the reason or your opinion, the outcome was safe and apparently routine. 31+ years in the biz and this looks well handled and totally routine. 

 

Could be debris on the runway or some other unusual circumstance, but still a safe outcome. 

Edited August 9, 2016 by Skeptic7

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Yes, it ended up as a safe outcome this time. But the point is, if it was an equipment problem, why wasn't it caught and detected BEFORE the plane took off and/or during the various pre-flight checks and inspections -- instead of once the plane was already halfway down the runway on its takeoff run?

 

And what does that say about the quality and thoroughness of the airline's pre-flight inspections and maintenance? It's hardly "totally routine" when a plane has to abort a takeoff midway down the runway because of some equipment problem.

 

Good maintenance and pre-flight inspections are supposed to catch those kinds of problems before takeoff, not when plane is hurtling down the runway.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2016 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Skeptic7]

On 8/9/2016 at 8:29 PM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Yes, it ended up as a safe outcome this time. But the point is, if it was an equipment problem, why wasn't it caught and detected BEFORE the plane took off and/or during the various pre-flight checks and inspections -- instead of once the plane was already halfway down the runway on its takeoff run?

 

And what does that say about the quality and thoroughness of the airline's pre-flight inspections and maintenance? It's hardly "totally routine" when a plane has to abort a takeoff midway down the runway because of some equipment problem.

 

Good maintenance and pre-flight inspections are supposed to catch those kinds of problems before takeoff, not when plane is hurtling down the runway.

 

 

OK, so the article clearly states that the pilot noticed an irregularity as the plane was about to take off. Yes they were on the takeoff roll, but it was detected BEFORE the plane took off...thus a safely aborted takeoff. Even had they been too far along and had to proceed with the takeoff, this by no means guarantees an accident or tragedy. They just take the proper actions, usually turn around and make an emergency landing. 

 

The irregularity was most likely a warning light and/or horn in the flight deck. Jet aircraft are big sophisticated flying machines and there are many layers of safety in Commercial Aviation. Regular maintenance and pre-flight checks are a big part, but the pre-flight walk around normally done by the First Officer (co-pilot) is basically only a visual check of the integrity of the aircraft exterior for signs of damage to engines, wings, landing gear, tire wear and fluid leaks...such as oil, fuel or hydraulic fluid. 

 

Perhaps in the La La Land of Aviation Oz or Aviation Camelot, all malfunctions and problems happen in the hanger or at the gate, but in the Real World of Aviation (or the Real World of EVERYTHING for that matter) this is not always the case and is precisely the reason for the many layers of safety, as well as all those controls, buttons, circuits, switches, warning lights and horns in the cockpit. To ensure the safety of each and every flight. It works quite well too as commercial airlines are generally considered to be safest mode of passenger transport...and by far the fastest.

 

Seems that here on TV, many are intent on Nok Air bashing, but this one ended safely and it appears was handled well by the flight crew.