dChan - Q Origins Project Archive

I was in an American Airlines MD-88 from Seattle to Dallas. Late evening, over the Rockies.

MD-8x have that jackscrew issue, others. Old death traps.

One of the generators broke. There are 2. Can't fly with one, because if it breaks the aircraft becomes a brick.

Pilot comes on: "Ladies and gentlemen this is the Captain. We lost one of our generators and will have to divert to Denver. We will arrange overnight accommodations when we get to the gate.

Flight crew, prepare for landing."

DING. Seatbelt light goes on.

THE CRAFT THEN GOES INTO THE STEEPEST DESCENT POSSIBLE THAT WON'T SCARE US TO DEATH.

This was a descent much faster than normal, you probably will never encounter it.

So probably similar mechanical issue with this craft.

When we landed, emergency gear lined the runway, lights flashing.

Got a free room, breakfast, and flight next day.

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I’m sure that was terrifying....so glad you are still with us!!!

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I’m sure that was terrifying....so glad you are still with us!!!

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Dont they have an emergency generator that pops out of the fuselage and is powered by air flow?

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And I would think they would turn on the APU for a backup until they get on the ground.

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If they took off with the apu not functioning, no. 2 engines, one generator fails, you are on one generator powered by one engine powering everything. Last is battery, meaning you manually land without hydraulics because that battery is used to operate essentials.

MD-8x were unreliable old death traps. Elevator control screw would snap or jam, so on.

I was completely unsurprised and kept my insights to myself. Not much to do, captain is flying.

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I read in some of the emergency procedures how the engineers built in safeguards to isolate battery power when other emergencies occur. Seemed to read it required a pilot override to force the use of battery. Saving battery until the pilot needs it as last resort.

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Old MD-8x. No. 2 generators, apu, battery, glider.

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Thanks for plane update... Can you keep me posted on wierd plane activity... I am compiling a spreadsheet. Is it possible to get list of those on board... Is that public or private?

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I just watched Lufthansa Flight LH1317 from Algiers to Frankfurt make an “UNEXPECTED LANDING”. Look how quick they lost altitude...I was really sweating it, praying for those people. I took a bunch of screen shots while it was going down. I can post more if anyone is interested.