Freefall. flight 174

[gaztop]

I watch a film yesterday, of the same title.
This brand new 737 runs out of fuel on a flight from edmonton to vancover. {I think}

The pilot lands the aircraft ect.
Apropose the take off, the ground crew were trying to work out the fuel load using LBS,KLS,Gallons.
I rarely fly "Heavies" and the reason is, I am always stuck working out the fuel thing.

Anyway, how could they make such a terrible mistake??

[Craig.]

it happens. Not often, but a few planes have had that problem. I believe an air canada 767 ran out of fuel over the atlantic and had to glide to the nearest island

[ozzy72]

Fuel is always loaded by weight. This is because on hot or cold days the fuel expands or contracts, and when you're talking about enough avgas to get a jumbo from once side of The Pond to the other that can be quite a significant difference!!!

Ozzy

[ChuckMajik]

it happens. Not often, but a few planes have had that problem. I believe an air canada 767 ran out of fuel over the atlantic and had to glide to the nearest island

I thought that was an Air Transat A330?

[gaztop]

Thank you Ozzy, my Dad worked in petroleum for 30 years, You would have thought I would know that!!!!


Sorry Dad

[Blackbird971]

Some time back, I think my Commercial teacher said that a cargo 747 had the same problem over canada somewhere.

[Scottler]

An old movie, but one I've seen many, many times.  If you listen carefully, they'll explain how the mistake was made.  It was the result of a recent switch to the way they measured how much fuel was brought onboard.  (This is also based on a true story, FYI.)

[Pinchaser...]

Yep, Air Canada 767. Did an emergency landing at an abandoned CAFB called Gimle (sp??)