Larry Dighera wrote:

While this report doesn't specifically mention a turbine blade, what
it describes could be consistent with many things including throwing a
blade:


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,2497317.story

Right after rotation, there was an engine surge, like a backfire,"
Hayes said.

Air traffic controllers at the airport tower saw sparks flying
from the crippled engine and heard popping noises.


Usually, in this group, everybody seems to agree that jurnalists are
idiots and never get something right, especially not when it comes to
aviation. But then, jurnalists are good enough to back up ones own
opinion. Oh well.

You cited two sentences of the article. I don't ask how a controller in
the tower would hear that popping noise (after rotation!). But let me
cite a couple of other sentences of the same article:


"The plane is certified to fly on three engines. It is perfectly safe to
do so."

"But I don't think most pilots would have undertaken such a
bizarre-sounding flight, partly just because it sounds kind of dangerous."

"The pilot flew two 20-mile circles in a holding pattern over Santa
Monica Bay, talking by radio with British Airways' flight technical team
and operations control team in London."

"The procedure [continuing a flight on three engines] is within our
normal operating protocols."

"There were several alternative landing fields," Hayes said. "The pilot
chose Manchester" — 163 miles from London.

"He said the pilot made a routine landing with enough fuel on board to
satisfy international safety regulations."



That said, I have no idea what happened and whether it was safe. I'll
read the final report, though.

Stefan