Media reports have not indicated likely cause of dangerous situation over Pacific Ocean.
4 thoughts on “Unreported: UAL Hawaii Incident Had Catastrophic Potential”
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This write up is a little bit on the alarmist side of the details. While no doubt a frightening incident for passengers, the bottom line is that the engine assembly performed exactly as designed. The reference to the AA587 is not relevant (that aircraft suffered a structural failure of the vertical stabilizer) but you’re spot on in regards to UA232. 232 was in many ways directly responsible for the required measures that likely saved UA1175.
FAA CFR’s were set following UA232 that require aircraft engines to survive a fan or turbine blade failure in flight without fragments penetrating the aircraft (wing or fuselage). The engine is not required to continue operating, only that high velocity fragments are contained and the engine does not remove itself from the aircraft due to vibration. Fragments may contact the fuselage in such an event, the key being that compressor/fan debris traveling at bullet speeds are intercepted.
The loss of the front cowling on UA1175 is impressive in appearance, but demonstrates the durability that’s designed into the aircraft upon which we travel.
Interested readers may wish to search “777 blade off test” for some amazing film of the testing these engine designs undergo for just this type of eventuality during their certification.
Mahalo!
Hi Dan.
Thanks very much.
Aloha.
Last month my flight was delayed on an AA flight from Maui to the mainland …significant enough that they brought in another plane fromHonolulu …also a. 777…are these planes as safe as they are beautiful?
As I wrote to you before, I have experienced multiple problems with United Airlines on Hawaii flights. There is a sense of disorganization, cutting corners, and poor communication, Pushing beyond limits, just for starters! It looks more and more that United Airlines, in a rush to cut costs so that they can have lower flight fares, as well as to capitalize on these underserved, yet growing markets, are cutting corners on their procedures! I think these repeated incidents are supportive of that impression. I will definitely think twice about saving some money by choosing United over Hawaiian or other carriers.