Chapter 13: The Captain Who Keeps His Cool
The tower controller did not know what the initial climb rate of the 737 could achieve, but he was sure that it would easily exceed one thousand feet per minute, and it would definitely not be possible to maintain a very small climb rate of less than five hundred feet per minute.
What is the most important requirement for takeoff? Obstacle clearance! How can you keep a climbing rate of less than 500 feet per minute to clear obstacles?
The tower controller held his breath for a moment and found that the climb rate of Feiyu 6321 still showed no signs of increasing. He stood up suddenly and observed the plane of Feiyu 6321 visually.
It can only be said that Feiyu 6321's climb was indeed too slow. Ordinary aircraft would have disappeared by this time, but Feiyu 6321 was still within sight. Moreover, from a visual point of view, apart from the unusually slow climb, there seemed to be no other problems.
He looked at the radar screen again and found that Feiyu 6321 had not yet issued the emergency code, and there was no MAYDAY or PANPAN announced on the radio.
The tower controller suddenly stood up and startled his colleague, who asked curiously , "What's wrong? Why are you so startled?"
The tower controller's eyes were switching between the radar screen and the fuselage of Feiyu 6321 in the sky. He didn't even look at his colleague, but responded casually: "Don't talk, I'm busy."
My colleague turned his head and glanced at the radar screen: "After delivering this plane, you are going to rest, why don't you change the frequency?"
"I don't know if I can change it..." The tower controller's face became more and more gloomy. So far, Feiyu 6321 has not recovered its normal climb rate. Logically, he should hand over the control relationship to the approach control seat. But he did not do so, but seemed to be waiting for something.
In the cockpit, the 400-foot altitude that could have been achieved in one go took less than a minute. During this time, the N1 speed had dropped below the idle thrust, leaving only the N1 generated by the wind, and an ENG FAIL indication appeared on the N2 display.
Since the captain had corrected the plane's sideslip while on the ground, the plane was able to stay on the extended runway after taking off.
As soon as the plane passed 400 feet, the captain immediately asked, "Determine the fault!"
The co-pilot had already figured it out in his mind, and as soon as the captain asked, he immediately answered: "It's just an engine failure, there is no memory item."
The captain was flying the plane with one hand. Normally, he should hand over the control to the co-pilot at this time, and then he should concentrate on identifying the fault. At least this is the case in simulator training, and the co-pilot can usually fly the plane well in the simulator.
Now, the plane has passed the most dangerous initial climb phase. In theory, it would be fine to hand the plane over to the co-pilot. But in the actual special situation, the captain really did not dare to hand the plane over to the co-pilot.
Fortunately, the plane had stabilized at this time, so it was not particularly difficult to devote some energy to it.
N1 has speed, N2 has no speed, the EGT index returns to zero, and the ENG FAIL indication appears. Although the fuel flow, oil pressure, oil quantity, etc. below are all returned to zero, they are still displayed.
The data is relatively clear, that is, the engine is simply turned off. It is not flying off, nor is it seriously damaged! In that case, there is indeed no memory item.
"Well, it's confirmed that it's an engine failure." The captain gathered his energy and was about to give the co-pilot a follow-up instruction. As if he had thought of something, he tilted his head back slightly and said, "Brother, do you think it's an engine failure?"
Xu Cang didn't expect the captain to ask for his opinion. He was stunned for a moment , but he quickly replied: "I think so too."
"Okay!" The captain no longer hesitated and ordered: "Report PANPAN, request to stay aside and handle the special situation."
The co-pilot did not have any special reaction to the captain's questioning of Xu Cang. Instead, after receiving the captain's instructions, he immediately contacted the tower: "PANPAN, PANPAN, PANPAN, Feiyu 6321, the number two engine has failed, requesting to hold side and deal with the fault."
Both PANPAN and MAYDAY are declared when an aircraft is in distress, but there are some differences between the two. If we roughly distinguish them, we can simply understand that declaring PANPAN is slightly less urgent than declaring MAYDAY. For example, if it is not a simple engine failure but an engine fire, then it is not a PANPAN but a MAYDAY. At any time, an aircraft fire is a very urgent matter and cannot be delayed for a moment.
The controller who had been standing in the control room of the tower had already sensed it in his heart and was waiting for this moment. He replied immediately without a break: "Feiyu 6321, you can hold on to one side and turn."
"Keep to one side, report turning!" The co-pilot replied quickly as he had other things to do.
At this time, in the control room of the tower, the controller was really at a loss. This was the first time he encountered an engine failure. However, he was still calm and did not rush to disturb the crew. He knew that this was the most critical time and he could wait and ask if there was anything.
After a moment's hesitation, the controller immediately contacted the approach control to explain the situation, because according to the handover regulations, he should now hand over Feiyu 6321 to the approach control. However, the controller guessed that the flight was likely to return and land, and asking the crew to focus on communications at this time would be counterproductive, so he should communicate with the approach control in advance.
This matter is not complicated, but the problem is that now that Feiyu 6321 has declared PANPAN, the airport is afraid that it will also enter an emergency state. This will affect the control of all nodes from the apron, ground, tower, approach to the area. This is the first time that he, a junior controller who has just been promoted to a full-time position, feels so important.
Taking a deep breath, the controller patted his colleague and said, "Please keep an eye on it for me. There are no planes at the airport right now. Please try to meet the crew's requirements."
My colleague is not opposed to taking over the shift temporarily. Just as the controller said, there are no other planes in the air above the airport, so it is very easy to coordinate.
"What are you going to do?"
When asked, the controller had already slipped to the door of the control room and waved to his colleagues: "I'll go find the director."
In the cockpit, the captain saw that the plane was stable and scratched his nose habitually: "Turn out the checklist."
"I've found it. Shall we do it now?" The co-pilot had already flipped over the "Engine Failure or Shutdown" checklist and spread it across his legs, ready to work on the abnormal checklist at any time.
"No hurry!" The captain waved his hand: "Let's talk about it after the flaps are retracted."
Xu Cang, who was sitting in the back, raised his eyebrows, looking quite surprised, and couldn't help but admire in his heart: "This captain is really patient."
