So we were ripping down the the runway in a CRJ-200, which is a small plane so picks up speed fast. Just at the point I am expecting us to take off, the pilot has slammed on the brakes and we come to a halt, emergency-stop style.
An adrenaline surge seemed like the right thing to do.
You're kind of waiting for a collision or a fire, but then (after what seemed like hours but was probably 30 seconds) the pilot came on the intercom and said they weren't happy with the readings. I was OK with them not taking off if they weren't happy…
I could smell burning rubber which didn't help, but I imagine that was from the tyres.
I later found out that an engine generator had gone wrong. A white van came and they fixed it or decided it was good to go. Can't say I enjoyed the flight though!
I always have left my shoes on until we reach cruising height, in case something goes tits up at takeoff.
So next time you're on a plane and ignoring them when they tell you where the exits are, this is why they tell you!
I'm just a Maserati in a world of Kias.
Comments
Not fun.
Glad you lived to tell the tale.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Not as trouser-browning as an aborted landing at either Heathrow or Gatwick, we were pretty close to the runway and suddenly shot up again. Pilot: " there was something on the runway that shouldn't have been there".
Been on an aborted landing before, that was pretty brown corduroy moment as well. We came down through cloud/fog to be seeming to land in Luton airport's car park ! Full power, stick the nose up - next thing you know we're diverted to East Midlands, and end up at Manchester !
Feedback
This is so true. For around 4-5 years I flew back and forth to Scotland from London at least once a week. Virtually every panic or scare surrounded the pre-take-off or take off itself. I also used to have both flying and gliding lessons when I was younger and again most incidents surrounded take off and landing. People seems to obsess about the plane crashing mid-flight, in which case you could probably do fuck all to aid yours or your family's survival, but for Christ sakes stay alert in those bits where you could.
The worst incident I had was a minor fire (if such a thing exists on an aircraft full of explosive fuel) whilst they were refuelling - people were just out of it then in full on panic mode when had they paid attention like the rest of us the could have calmly disembarked.
Yup! When we finally took off there were some maintenance guys on board too so I assumed it would be fine! I overheard the flight attendant saying they hadn't replaced the generator but they were going to fly lower and take it easy.
I suspect an experience like yours would stop me flying for the rest of mine life - even if it's illogical....
Offset "(Emp) - a little heavy on the hyperbole."
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Offset "(Emp) - a little heavy on the hyperbole."
Offset "(Emp) - a little heavy on the hyperbole."
I believe we could have gone for it but decided not to, just one engine running a bit dicky.
Offset "(Emp) - a little heavy on the hyperbole."
Things I have had to avoid in the road: mattress, metal garage ramp, cows, sundry small mammals, man carrying Xmas tree (at night, his white jeans saved his life).