ATC KLM785 Boeing 747-400 Emergency, Cabin Fire.

KLM785 PH-BFL 747 departed Curaçao (TNCC) with destination Amsterdam (EHAM) on 30 April 2009 and declared emergency just after passing the airspace of Curaçao. A fire in the cabin was noted at first. But thereafter the fire has been located in one of the overhead bins.
There were 422 pax onboard, and after fuel dump the aircraft landed safely and taxied to the gate. There were no injuries and after a few days of repairs, the aircraft returned safely to Netherlands.

Credits to:
Alexander Hughes for the ATC recording. LiveATC.net
Airliners.net photographers.
Linze Folkeringa.
Miguel Cláudio.
Roger Cannegieter.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• KLM
• boeing
• 747-400
• emergency
• fire
• inflight
• landing
• curacao
• amsterdam
• TNCC
• EHAM

[grimmrad]

Why is he dumping fuel - isn't the rule if a fire on board go to the nearest suitable airfield and land asap. See SwissAir off long Island.

Though they state that the fire is under control - but you never now that fully, do you?

[BigDaddyLicious]

@grimmrad That's still a debate, depends on the scenario, first is to contain the fire & fly. The reason they dump fuel was to make the aircraft lighter so they can land below their MLW The difference between KL785 and the LX111 was that they were dumping fuel while returning to the airport, while LX111 was going to Halifax then decided to dump fuel over the ocean which cost them precious time. Another diff was that this fire was containable and of LX111 was not. But I do understand your point.

[aviationwingnut]

Squwak 7700 on that transponder and you get EVERYONE'S attention.

[IslandJumper5]

@grimmrad its because you cannot land a 747 with anything more than 15% of your fuel tanks full. Otherwise its way over max gross landing weight

[Joff10242]

I flew to Curaçao that day onboard this aircraft :o, there were some technical problems at Amsterdam before departure already. The next day i went to the airport to view some aircrafts. This one was standing in front of the Terminal.

This plane has the registration PH-BFL and it is called "City of Lima"

[behindthen0thing]

@grimmrad dumping fuel to reduce weight so they can land safely

[OneSkiWonder]

@grimmrad You dump fuel so that if there is a crash on landing, you have a lighter aircraft, which will be easier to stop. Also, if you do end up crash landing, the risk of a serious fire is reduced. Both of these increase your chance of survival.

[apegler]

@Pvjinflight for a plane that is considered a "super" to and with that much fuel still on it it would need a much longer runway and it was have a higher risk of crashing due to the stresses put on it. I have dealt with situations much like this one before I am an controller. The only time a plane would land still fully fueled would be if there were no other options but if they have the ability and the time to dump fuel they will.

[Pvjinflight]

@apegler They can, but it puts stress to structure and after overweight landing they need to check aircraft completely for possible damage I think.

[yamahonkawazuki]

@BigDaddyLicious also if GOD forbid they crash, less chance of explosion from burning jet fuel.

[apegler]

@grimmrad There is a good chance the plane could not land with the excess weight due to the fuel on board

[emirates5233]

งง