Looks like there was a similar incident in Barcelona when a KLM 737 landed after a birdstrike caused it's steering to fail:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...sok=&photo_nr=

I thought the pilots did a great job and made the landing kind of anti climatic which I think pissed off all the news channels. They thought they were going to have a great story, instead the guy sticks it as well as an undamaged plane. Way to go guys!!!!!Do you think the pilot got a change of pants and a cocktail after?

My mistake folks, sorry for that. Just confirmation from my father (yea at 67 the old man is still very much up-to-date with airplane technology) that I was wrong. Here is what he told me 'no dumping fuel capability on small airliners like A320, B737, MD80/MD90.... Available on B727,B777,B767, DC10, MD11, B747 and larger AIRBUS like A340. We learn everyday

No problem alpac, you're correct in your last post too.

Basically what happens in every situation similar to this, is the pilots converse with ATC, maintenance, manufacturers, etc to "triage" the specific problem on board. Any fire on airliner the basic goal is to get it down as fast as possible. Every plane has a landing gear stress limits and, believe it or not, every runway has weight limits as well. So in an urgent disaster like a fire, all airliners would get down to maximum landing weight for the conditions and try to set her down.

In a situation like yesterday's, it would take a 747 with a transcontinental load of fuel probably about 5 hours or more to burn enough fuel in the central tanks and wing tanks to get down to a low enough and BALANCED weight.

So obviously all large airliners have fuel dumping capability while the smaller ones do not.

What aggravates me is how little research it would take the major networks to find out small but important details like these. Instead, some stupid anchor who cannot even get the model and manufacturer of the airplane correct is making dubious comments that just reduce his/her and the network's credibility. If anyone watched Larry King's "play-by-play" from last night, you know what I am talking about.

Hey, are you taking pot-shots at Larry??? The guy got his trademark suspenders, that's all he needs. :bustingup :bustingup :bustingup :bustingup

Larry: "So Bob, it looks like they are landing, is that fire and smoke?"
Airline pilot on the phone: "Yes Larry, I believe they are landing. And that is fire and smoke which is normal when you land doing 160 knots with friction on dry pavement"
Larry: "Ahh, yes. Now is that fire dangerous?"
Airline pilot: "OF COURSE ITS DANGEROUS"

It was pure idiocy at its finest, coming out of the mouth of Larry King.

Now that IS redundant, :rofl:

Hey godeacs06.

What do you or did you fly?

I was on 737's for 5 years and then 747's for 2 years. I'm now out of aviation and really enjoy all those moments when people start talking about flying. Much more fun not to let on that you have any experience and watch them dig a big hole.

Actually dxbX5, I am not pilot in any sense besides Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just kidding...about the flight simulator stuff.

Aviation has always been a hobby of mine and I have been fascinated with commercial aviation since I was a little kid. Most of my knowledge base comes from my grandfather who flew 707s and retired flying 727s for a couple different airlines. I've continued to learn as much as possible since he passed away. I would love to become a pilot myself but I just can't seem to find the time as the 'rents want me to finish college and get my degree first.

BTW dxb, I love the sig!

You seam to have a heck of a good knowledge of aviation procedures and rules for somebody who is not a pilot. As an ex (and humble) private pilot it sounds like I could learn a thing or two from you