Andrew Godden 945 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Just when you think things might slow down, well, no luck. Whilst enjoying a very brief layover in Barcelona, I picked up some more contract work. This time it involved flying a chartered A340-600 for Iberia with a delegation from a local company who were having a week of seminars and corporate training down on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. What a life! No matter which way you look at it, the A340-600 is a big aircraft. Taxiing to the active, it was clear we would have to "take a number". At 11,643 ft, I would have preferred RWY 07L, however, even with a full load in the cabin, the lighter load of fuel necessary for the flight made the take-off from the 8,720 ft, RWY 07R a breeze. Everything was going smoothly until we crossed the coast at Malaga. Next thing, I get a fire warning in the forward cargo hold. Visions of South African Airways Flt 295 from 1987 flash into my mind. At FL380, this is going to get a little tense. Quickly assessing my options, I declare the emergency and request a diversion to Malaga (LEMG). Now to lose the altitude. Tracking west, I am still trying to lose altitude, but now have to turn back to LEMG. Wanting the quickest option, I consider Gibraltar (LXGB) with it's 6,185 ft runway. What the heck, I think, I can do this and besides, I am now in a perfect position to track left downwind for LXGB, RWY 09, albeit for the restricted airspace. Calling up Madrid Centre, I request the clearance. This guy doesn't seem to comprehend the gravity of the situation, so after a few choice words in Spanish about his mother and what I was going to do to him when I survive, he quickly changed his mind. Now, all I had to do was some final checks, turn to finals and we would be down safely. The landing and roll out was a breeze and I had runway length to spare. Quickly directed to the stand-off area at he eastern end of the airport, an inspection of the forward hold revealed nothing. When it was declared safe, the maintenance guys found the culprit, a short in the warning lamp. Oh well, I live to fly another day and the Madrid Centre controller gets to go and change his pants. Cheers Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Nice one Andrew, I'm trying to guess what you told the ATC about his mother Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Nice one Andrew... Now all you need to do is get that big bird out of there too Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Good story. As Micke says, getting out might be interesting. Hope for a strong headwind. John Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 There's always the possibility to extend the runway by chucking huge pieces of rock in to the ocean....... Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 27, 2013 Report Share Posted October 27, 2013 I didn't think you smoked Andrew I have a spare JATO pack if you need one! Link to post Share on other sites
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