US 1419 Diverted to COS

[autofixer]

An engine shutdown can be very time compressing for the cockpit crew. If there is no time to brief the passengers, ie., you are landing at an off line airport, performing all of the checklists, trying to coordinate with air traffic control, dispatch, get the weather, set up for the approach, brief the approach, fly the airplane, checking the terrain and the single engine driftdown altitudes over the Rockies (you can only fly so high on one engine and you don't want to hit a mountain), there is the option to let the flight attendants make the announcements. It is a safety issue. The shutdown, approach and landing can all happen very quickly, maybe 10 - 15 mins. depending on the distance from the "nearest suitable aiport". In aviation the priorities you learn from day one are: "1. aviate, 2. navigate, 3. communicate." Don't believe what you see in the movies.

 

[flygirl74]

Another thing to consider is that the pilots were landing at an airport that they don't have maps for. They are landing at an unfamiliar airport and having to deal with the engine issue. From what little bit I have seen in the cockpit, a pilot pulls the appropriate map of the landing airport out and it is discussed prior to landing what runway they are landing, flaps, etc. Pilots can feel free to chime in but if one is landing at a new place and no info is with them, I am sure they were spending their time getting that info.
The passengers were fed twice while they were stranded in COS and were given drink coupons for the flight. Of course the f/a's that worked the COS-LAX segment gave the passengers whatever they wanted, coupon or not. The only compliant the passengers had was that there was a bit of confusion as to the arrival time of the new plane. They were told the wrong time so until that was figured out it added another 2 hours to their wait. All and all, everyone got to COS safe and eventually got to LAX tired, but agian safe.

P.S. I didn't know that sharktooth and baja got separated....

 

[YVINTERN]

P.S. I didn't know that sharktooth and baja got separated....

They got tired of the East/West debacle 😉

Back on Topic...

I'm glad to hear that US fed them twice and got them to LAX at a reasonable time.

 

[SS255]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like it was handled very well by all involved, but I'm glad that I was not an eyewitness.

This one hit a bit too close to home.

 

[sharktooth]

I didn't know that sharktooth and baja got separated....

Sharing computers can be confusing. I know it is outside the box, especially for the kool-aide drinkers here. Makes their heads explode to actually think. Not that thinking is practiced very much at US.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Sharing computers can be confusing.

Only for those doing the sharing. The "kool-aide drinkers here", or any other members for that matter, have no way of knowing whether a poster is using the computer at the local library or at home nor whether more than one person is posting from the same computer.

Now...if you mean sharing screen names, that's something else.

Jim

 

[Bagged Again]

If I have the choice of A: Addressing a life threatening event OR B: Communicating with the customer as to what's happening, the customer is going to end up the mushroom. Kept in the dark and covered in Sh*T!

Aviate.
Navigate.
Communicate.

General rules for any non-normal situation.

 

[nycbusdriver]

Been mostly a lurker/reader on this one but a few thoughts occur to me

1. Plane landed safely with no injuries

2. Confusion in a situation like this is to be expected

3. Customers got to their destination ALIVE

4. Pilots did a very good job. We know this because everybody is very much alive

Nice to see a passenger that "gets it."

When an emergency happens, the pilots are often way too busy to make "feel good" (or "feel bad") announcement to the passengers. There are things to be done methodically but without the delay needed to stroke "entitled" egos and "hold hands" with customers. Once all the flying safety aspects are covered, if there is still time then an announcement from the cockpit is appropriate.

When one boards an airliner, one needs to keep in mind that the crew is there to get you to point B safely, not to kiss your posterior at your convenience. If one cannot abide by that fact, one needs to walk, drive, take the bus or train, or buy your own dang airplane and fly it however you want.


And, for the poster that mentioned this, the pilots were not flying into COS for which they "had no maps." Charts for suitable alternates are carried aboard every flight just in case of such an emergency. The pilots had all necessary charts for COS.

 

[flygirl74]

And, for the poster that mentioned this, the pilots were not flying into COS for which they "had no maps." Charts for suitable alternates are carried aboard every flight just in case of such an emergency. The pilots had all necessary charts for COS.
[/quote]


Well that's funny............The pilots recieved a manilla envelope from the agent. When asked what it was the pilot showed the charts for COS and said that they don't have those............split hair away....

 

[phllax]

OK - here's some more info from my friend on the flight.

The first sounds of trouble was an intermitent sound comparable to going over an expressway lane divider/reflector. This continued off and on for 20 minutes and then stopped. The F/A came on and said there were engine problems, but nothing major and they'd continue to LAX.

The sound started again shortly after, and apparently they shut down the engine/slowed way down. A this point they were told they'd be landing in DEN. About 5 minutes after that they were told they'd be landing in COS and the cabin was prepared.

Landing was normal. Fire trucks adjacent to runway. Once on the ground, pilots came on an explained everything in detail and that they hoped to have it checked out and back in the air within the hour. Parked at the gate and pax allowed off.

Shortly after pax told replacement from DEN would arrive inside of 2 hours. About 90 minutes later pax told plane coming from PHL instead. Approximately 5:15 pax given 2 food vouchers, but most food closed around 5:30 so many didn't redeem them. People were begging to be put on other US flights or even the UAX non-stop to LAX. Agents originally told no can do, but they finally did start re-booking some (including my friend via PHX to BUR).

My friend got to PHX. Flight to BUR was still at gate when she got there but agen had already closed the jetway. There were 17 people who mis-connected even though the plane was still there loading bags.

 

[nycbusdriver]

And, for the poster that mentioned this, the pilots were not flying into COS for which they "had no maps." Charts for suitable alternates are carried aboard every flight just in case of such an emergency. The pilots had all necessary charts for COS.



Well that's funny............The pilots recieved a manilla envelope from the agent. When asked what it was the pilot showed the charts for COS and said that they don't have those............split hair away....

Probably the Standard Instrument Departures. (Hint: because they're DEPARTURES) In an emergency, those wouldn't be necessary. They carry the charts necessary to LAND.

Go fly girl. Leave the driving to us.

 

[robbedagain]

kudos tot he flight crew for an outstanding job

 

[WCT]

This thread really irrates me. First of all, the pilots did an excellent job landing the plane safely. Second, America West always flew into COS with mainline a/c for years and years, until about 2001. Our agents that work in that station are OLD America West ground staff, not Mesa, or any other express carrier. I am sure as soon as the Station mangager was called out to the situation, they also ordered other station personel to report to the airport asap. We have a very senior staff working the COS station, and they should be commended on a wonderful job done!!! The COS airport is very well equipped to handle Mainline Aircraft, and emergencies. If some of you remember Western Pacific had a base and hub operation back in the 90's. Very nice airport and city I might add!!!!

 

[YVINTERN]

Kudos WCT, I've been a lurker mostly on here but I agree...I'm tired of the USAV Mentality that everything US does is FUBAR...

1. The Pilots Handled themselves in what was a procedural engine shutdown and "emergency" landing into Colorado Springs.

2. US Airways sent another aircraft from Philly with a fresh crew to Colorado Springs and continued onto LAX.

3. US Airways did rebook passengers onto flights to LAX non-stop and via PHX.

4. Passengers IMHO were well accommodated for such a flight.

Quit whining folks, Moderators this thread has run it's course can we close it please. (Nothing More Good can come out of it).

 

[Richard]

Agreed.