Argentina has been dealing with a terrible storm in recent days, which turned deadly in the port city of Baha Blanca, and has hit the capital city of Buenos Aires in the past day. This caused quite the impact on airport operations, with one particularly noteworthy incident.
Continue reading: Parked Aerolineas Argentinas 737 Battered By Storm
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Perhaps they figured that, given where the company's financial viability is likely headed [in light of the proposed cutoff of state aid], why bother going out of the way to move equipment?
In all seriousness, they probably just figured it wouldn't be that bad. How many avoidable disasters, over the years, have started with that...
Seeing as none of the many other aircraft on the line are even twitching in the wind, I have to wonder if this one was not properly secured. Chocks? Parking Break?
It was not secured properly. What a shame. The airline might not be the best, but the livery is a top 5 globally.
I was just in Buenos Aires last month. I love going there, its an amazing city. The exchange rate was wild. $1 got you around 280 pesos "officially" or through the "blue note" exchange 1000 pesos to the $1 - which makes a HUGE difference.
An amazing city, amazing people, great great food. Also cheap apartments in Recoleta and all over. Highly recommend a visit.
The best way to secure these in high winds isn’t really chocks or parking brake. The chicks only stop the wheels from rolling, but the tail is a huge lever arm. The parking brake relies on brake accumulator pressure in the hydraulic system. To weigh it down, the jet should have been fueled. A 737-700 weighs about 90000 lbs… at least 20-25k of the 46.8k capacity would have put the centre of gravity squarely on the mains and lower down the fuselage, requiring more force for that lever arm to rotate the airplane along the tail.
The best way to secure these in high winds isn’t really chocks or parking brake. The chocks only stop the wheels from rolling, but the tail is a huge lever arm. The parking brake relies on brake accumulator pressure in the hydraulic system. To weigh it down, the jet should have been fueled. A 737-700 weighs about 90000 lbs… at least 20-25k of the 46.8k capacity would have put the centre of gravity squarely on the mains and lower down the fuselage, requiring more force for that lever arm to rotate the airplane along the tail.
Every airline I have worked for has a high wind plan which includes triple chalking the gear and removing all equipment (including cones) away from the aircraft and against or under the terminal. Bag carts were hooked together in small circles or chalked if we had enough, with as much stuff placed inside and then larger equipment like tugs and GPUs placed around he outside of the circle if possible. Towbars were also chalked.
737s are tail heavy. fuel near the center of mass isn/t going to do much when it comes to weathervaning. Triple chalking, with rubber chalks, would be the best bet. Notice how the plane pivots on the right gear and the left gear was free to move. Chalks on the left gear would have prevented the left gear from "rolling"
I've been to Buenos Aires twice in the past two months, EZE is the International Airport, AEP along the waterfront. AEP had a line of AA planes parked in front of a Hangar, looked like they'd been there for a while. EZE had larger planes also parked. Economy then was 750 pesos to the Dollar, taxi ride from downtown to EZE (via AEP, driver wasn't paying attention), $7.US, my hotel room was 87% off. New Pres 'devalued' the Peso 50% more. Doubt many have money to fly.
I should have added: Airport Unions were heavily involved in recent elections. DL in particular, DL 101 from ATL-EZE, was 12 hours late taking off at least once a week for a couple months before. Which meant DL 110, the return flight, missed all its connections. No other US carrier had any problems. Since the election DL 101 hasn't had any problems ...