What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take off

[April20]

I flew to Chicago this morning (from Atlanta). We were delayed taking off due to a ground stop in Chicago, so I was sort of half asleep waiting. As we finally started to take off, I happened to glance out the window. And saw a plane, nose down in a ditch between runways, tail in the air. Fire trucks everywhere. That DID NOT inspire confidence! I was on the aisle and we were already turning, so I wasn't able to whip out my phone, power it up and get pictures. You can see pics in the below link. It was raining, so I thought maybe it slid off the runway. Turns out, it was a NEW plane that maintenance was testing and the brakes failed! Nice.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/plane-veers-taxiway-hartsfield-jackson/nLRX7/

 

[Enerchi]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take



Not a good flyer in general but that would freak me out!

 

[Missy]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

ugh, thank goodness you are OK! I hate flying mainly because you are so not in control of anything regarding the plane. The pilot and copilots level of experience and state of mind and sanity; the condition of the plane etc. Too scary. And yeah, I know, flying safer than driving yada yada yada (as my dh likes to tell me whenever this topic comes up) but when we are driving we are driving and we know the condition of the car and practice defensive driving etc. And sure, you can get into a car accident but more people survive those than plane crashes KWIM?!

 

[Maisie]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

That would freak me out!!!

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

I'm happy to hear that they had the good sense to test it out with no one on it ...

 

[Amys Bling]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

yikes!!

 

[Clairitek]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

Oh dear. That is um... frightening to see. Comical when you don't think about the fact that its a plane that could have had failed breaks with people IN IT. I hope no one was hurt. That's going to be an expensive repair and recertification bill for Delta! I can only imagine the fine toothed comb the FAA will want to run over that machine before its allowed back in service. Thankfully their regulations are EXTREMELY strict.

 

[lyra]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

Should be noted that there were no pilots on board--which is normal for maintenance testing, but could have avoided doing this. DH says it's more likely they forgot to set the brakes, and when the plane started moving were unable to do so. I'd say the maintenance guys are in deep doo doo over this.

 

[April20]

Re: What you don't want to see when you're taxiing for take

Should be noted that there were no pilots on board--which is normal for maintenance testing, but could have avoided doing this. DH says it's more likely they forgot to set the brakes, and when the plane started moving were unable to do so. I'd say the maintenance guys are in deep doo doo over this.

Yeah, so when they said the brakes failed, I figured the "brakes failed" and these dudes are jobless.

But craziness, huh? Nothing like seeing that just as you're taking off!