Author Topic: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)  (Read 19136 times)

Offline nvn8vbryce

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SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« on: January 26, 2014, 11:12:48 PM »
I was on this flight and the winds were atrocious to say the least... we wound up going 26 miles plus away from the airport (all the way into Independence, MO) - just to have to go-around on the first attempt due to a 55 kt drop... I was in the back of the plane, and while my mom and I were fine, the co-ed behind us was tossing her cookies.   If you get a chance to pull up the flight path, it's a pretty interesting read...



Offline RonR

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2014, 10:32:29 AM »
Looks like you got a sightseeing tour of the neighborhood...  :-D

Ron

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/SWA3230/history/20140116/2010Z/KSAN/KMCI

Offline Close@Hand

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2014, 05:41:14 PM »
Why would the pilot say he needs a copy of the recordings at the end? He advised the controller he was at minimum fuel, but didn't declare an emergency. But it sounds like he may be unhappy that he didn't get priority.

Offline InterpreDemon

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2014, 05:51:03 PM »
The real question is whether he was at "minimum fuel" to make his alternate, or to make it to the ground safely. I would be stunned if it were the latter.

Offline nvn8vbryce

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2014, 10:08:58 PM »
I didn't really understand it either.  I'm not sure what our alternates were (I'm guessing Wichita, Salina and St. Louis) but I'm guessing that it may have been the later given that the cockpit door was closed after the flight and that the plane was continuing on to Dallas.

Offline nvn8vbryce

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2014, 10:16:33 PM »
Swa,  I'm halfway wondering if there was another flight in the same boat we were in after listening to the originals again... I'm wondering if someone else is willing to pull up the archives frm that time (the plane's first landing attempt was around 1730 Central.

Offline BK88

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Re: SWA 3230 at MCI on 1-16-2014 (Windshear, Emergency Fuel)
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2014, 08:36:22 PM »
Declaration of Minimum Fuel does not grant priority. It just means any no "undue" delay in getting the airplane to its destination.

From the ATC Manual:

2-1-8. MINIMUM FUEL

If an aircraft declares a state of “minimum fuel,” inform any facility to whom control jurisdiction is transferred of the minimum fuel problem and be alert for any occurrence which might delay the aircraft en route.

NOTE-
Use of the term “minimum fuel” indicates recognition by a pilot that his/her fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching destination, he/she cannot accept any undue delay. This is not an emergency situation but merely an advisory that indicates an emergency situation is possible should any undue delay occur. A minimum fuel advisory does not imply a need for traffic priority. Common sense and good judgment will determine the extent of assistance to be given in minimum fuel situations. If, at any time, the remaining usable fuel supply suggests the need for traffic priority to ensure a safe landing, the pilot should declare an emergency and report fuel remaining in minutes.