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16 May Delta 1888 Engine failure at JFK
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
DELTA 1888
Delta 1888, ILS 4 Left.
DELTA 1888
Delta 1888, we're on the instrument landing approach for runway 4 Left.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. Boeing 737, five miles ahead. Caution wake turbulence. Wind 100 at 16, gust 21. Runway 4 Left, cleared to land.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. There’s a Boeing 737 five miles ahead, so watch out for the rough air in its wake. Wind is 16 knots, gusting to 21. You’re cleared to land on runway 4 Left.
DELTA 1888
4 Left, cleared to land, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Cleared to land on 4 Left, Delta 1888.
TOWER
KLM 641 Heavy, no delay. Traffic is at two o'clock. No delay. Cross 4 Left, left turn Delta Bravo, this frequency.
TOWER
Large KLM 641, move quickly. Incoming traffic is just ahead and to your right. Don’t stop. Cross runway 4 Left, turn left onto taxiway Delta Bravo, and stay on this frequency.
KLM 641
Cross 4 Left, left turn Delta Bravo, this frequency. KLM 641 Heavy.
KLM 641
Crossing 4 Left, then left on taxiway Delta Bravo, staying on this frequency. KLM 641 Heavy.
TOWER
KLM 641, no delay. Traffic is a mile and a half now. No delay crossing 4 Left, left turn Delta Bravo.
TOWER
KLM 641, you have to hurry. That plane is only a mile and a half out now. Do not stop crossing runway 4 Left, then turn left onto taxiway Delta Bravo.
KLM 641
Yeah, expediting. KLM 641 Heavy.
KLM 641
Yeah, we’re moving as fast as we can. KLM 641 Heavy.
TOWER
Delta 1888, go around. Fly runway heading. Traffic on the runway.
TOWER
Delta 1888, abort your landing! Climb and fly straight ahead. There is still another plane on the runway!
DELTA 1888
Going around, Delta 1888. Runway heading.
DELTA 1888
We're aborting our landing, Delta 1888. We'll keep flying straight ahead along the path of the runway.
TOWER
Delta 1888, make a right turn now, heading 100, and contact New York on 135.9.
TOWER
Delta 1888, turn right immediately to a heading of 100 degrees, and contact the New York controllers on frequency 135.9.
DELTA 1888
135.9 and 110 on the heading, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Switching to 135.9 and turning to a heading of 110, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888, ILS 4 Right.
DELTA 1888
Tower, this is Delta 1888, we’re lined up on the instrument guidance for runway 4 Right.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. Following company heavy A330, six and a half miles ahead. Caution wake turbulence. Wind 100 at 16, gust 21. Runway 4 Right, cleared to land.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. You’re following another large Delta jet six and a half miles ahead. Watch out for the turbulent air trailing behind it. Wind is 16 knots, gusting to 21. You're cleared to land on runway 4 Right.
DELTA 1888
4 Right, cleared to land, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Cleared to land on 4 Right, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888. Declaring an emergency. We have a left engine failure.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888. We're declaring an emergency. Our left engine has failed!
TOWER
Delta 1888, Roger. You’re cleared to land runway 4 Right. Say intentions.
TOWER
Delta 1888, understood. You are authorized to land on runway 4 Right. Tell us what you need to do or what your plan is.
DELTA 1888
Cleared to land 4 Right. We might not be able to make it because the engine went all the way off. We are way fast. We need to probably vector around.
DELTA 1888
We’re cleared for runway 4 Right, but we might not make it because our engine died completely. We’re coming in way too fast. We probably need you to guide us back around for another try.
TOWER
Roger, Delta 1888. You can either fly runway heading or make a right turn and do whatever you need to do.
TOWER
Understood, Delta 1888. You can either keep flying straight along the runway path or turn right—just do whatever you have to do to stay safe.
DELTA 1888
Roger, Delta 1888. We need a vector around the airport for Delta 1888. We need a heading back around right now, Delta 1888. We’re too high and we’re too fast.
DELTA 1888
Copy that, Delta 1888. We need you to guide us in a circle around the airport. Give us a direction to fly right now; we’re too high and moving way too fast.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Roger. Whatever you need to do. You can make a right turn. Speed and altitude are at your discretion. Actually, fly heading 130.
TOWER
Understood, Delta 1888. Do whatever you need. You can turn right. Your speed and height are up to you. Actually, turn toward compass heading 130.
DELTA 1888
130, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Turning to 130, Delta 1888.
TOWER
Attention all emergency response vehicles: Alert 2 to runway 4 Right. Attention all emergency response vehicles: Respond to Alert 2 for runway 4 Right.
TOWER
Attention all emergency responders: we have a high-level emergency on runway 4 Right. All emergency vehicles, get to runway 4 Right immediately.
TOWER
Delta 1888, if able, maintain 1,500.
TOWER
Delta 1888, if you can manage it, try to stay at 1,500 feet.
DELTA 1888
1,500, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
1,500 feet, Delta 1888.
TOWER
Delta 1888, contact New York on 132.4.
TOWER
Delta 1888, switch over to the New York controllers on frequency 132.4.
DELTA 1888
32.4, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Switching to 132.4, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
New York, Delta 1888 is with you. Emergency aircraft, trying to get up to 1,500.
DELTA 1888
New York, this is Delta 1888 checking in. We’re an emergency flight, struggling to climb up to 1,500 feet.
ATC
Delta 1888, Roger. Turn right 220.
ATC
Delta 1888, understood. Turn right to a compass heading of 220 degrees.
DELTA 1888
220 on the heading, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Turning right to 220, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, do you want to come right back in? Is that correct?
ATC
Delta 1888, do you need to return to the airport immediately? Is that correct?
DELTA 1888
That’s correct. We want to come right back in, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
That’s correct. We need to come right back in and land, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, turn right heading 260.
ATC
Delta 1888, turn further right to a heading of 260 degrees.
DELTA 1888
260, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Heading 260, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, it seems like the rate of turn is a little slower. Am I right to assume it’s going to take you longer to turn?
ATC
Delta 1888, it looks like you're turning a little slowly. Am I right to assume it’s going to take you longer to get the plane around?
DELTA 1888
We’re working on it, Delta 1888. We can tighten it up.
DELTA 1888
We’re working on it, Delta 1888. We can sharpen the turn.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888. We definitely have the emergency equipment meet us on the runway. That left motor let go.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888. We definitely need the fire and rescue teams to meet us at the runway. That left engine just failed.
ATC
Delta 1888, Roger. Turn right heading 310.
ATC
Delta 1888, understood. Turn right to a heading of 310 degrees.
DELTA 1888
310, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Heading 310, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, turn right heading 360. Do you want to just proceed direct Abby and intercept the localizer?
ATC
Delta 1888, turn right to heading 360. Do you want to fly straight to the Abby checkpoint and pick up the radio beam that lines you up with the runway?
DELTA 1888
That’s fine with us. 360, intercept Abby, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
That works for us. Heading 360 to pick up the path at Abby, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, from Abby, cross Abby at 1,500. Cleared ILS 4 Right approach.
ATC
Delta 1888, starting from the Abby checkpoint, fly over Abby at 1,500 feet. You are cleared for the instrument-guided landing on runway 4 Right.
DELTA 1888
Cross Abby 1,500, cleared ILS 4 Right approach, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Crossing Abby at 1,500, cleared for the instrument landing on 4 Right, Delta 1888.
ATC
Delta 1888, last question: Do you think you’ll be able to exit the runway?
ATC
Delta 1888, one last question: Do you think you’ll be able to taxi off the runway on your own after you land?
DELTA 1888
Yeah, we should be able to exit the runway, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, we should be able to get clear of the runway, Delta 1888.
TOWER
Emergency Truck 1, next to land on runway 4 Right will be the emergency response aircraft.
TOWER
Emergency Truck 1, the next plane landing on runway 4 Right is the aircraft in distress that we’re responding to.
TRUCK 1
Okay, copy. Subject aircraft number one. Do you have a final on him? Distance?
TRUCK 1
Okay, copy that. He’s our primary target. Is he on his final approach path yet? How far out is he?
TOWER
That aircraft is approximately six miles to fly right now, sir.
TOWER
That plane is about six miles away from the runway right now, sir.
TRUCK 1
Excellent, thank you.
TRUCK 1
Excellent, thank you.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower 119.1. Take it easy.
TOWER
Delta 1888, switch over to Kennedy Tower on frequency 119.1. Take it easy and stay safe.
DELTA 1888
119.1, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Switching to 119.1, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888, with the ILS 4 Right.
DELTA 1888
Tower, Delta 1888, we’re on the radio-guided approach for runway 4 Right.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. Emergency equipment is standing by. Wind 100 at 19, gust 23. Runway 4 Right, cleared to land.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Kennedy Tower. The fire trucks and rescue teams are standing by for you. Wind is coming from the east at 22 miles per hour, gusting to 26. You are cleared to land on Runway 4 Right.
DELTA 1888
4 Right, cleared to land, Delta 1888.
DELTA 1888
Runway 4 Right, cleared to land, Delta 1888.
TOWER
Delta 1888, turn left on Foxtrot. If you require any further assistance?
TOWER
Delta 1888, turn left onto taxiway Foxtrot. Do you need any more help from the emergency crews?
DELTA 1888
Left on Foxtrot. And yeah, we’d like them to take a look at that engine, because it just went—it just went like all over the back.
DELTA 1888
Left on Foxtrot. And yeah, we’d like them to take a look at that engine, because it just—it just blew debris all over the back of the plane.
TOWER
Roger. Will you be able to taxi down Foxtrot and hold short of Yankee, or do you just want to get off there and stop?
TOWER
Understood. Can you keep driving down taxiway Foxtrot and stop just before you reach taxiway Yankee, or do you need to just pull off and stop right where you are?
DELTA 1888
I’d rather just get off and stop and have them take a look.
DELTA 1888
I think it’s best if we just pull off the path and stop so the ground crew can check us out.
TOWER
Delta 1888, Roger. You can pull off there, hold position, and change to frequency 121.65.
TOWER
Delta 1888, understood. You can turn off right there, stay where you are, and switch your radio over to 121.65 to talk to the ground team.
DELTA 1888
121.65. Clear of the runway and we'll stop here. Over to the next frequency, Delta 1888. Thanks for the help.
DELTA 1888
Switching to 121.65. We’re off the landing strip now and we’ll stop right here. Moving to the next radio channel, Delta 1888. Appreciate the help.
TOWER
Emergency response vehicles, Truck 1, change frequency to 121.65.
TOWER
Emergency crews and Truck 1, switch your radios to channel 121.65 to coordinate.
DELTA 1888
Sir, can I have someone go around and look at the number one engine, aircraft left?
DELTA 1888
Sir, could someone drive around and take a look at our left-side engine for us?
CAR 99
We can see from here, sir. Taking a look at you now.
CAR 99
We’ve got a good view from here, sir. We’re inspecting the plane right now.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it felt like a major separation. It was a major boom when it went.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it felt like something big just broke apart inside. There was a massive bang when it happened.
CAR 99
Give me one second.
CAR 99
Just give me a moment to check.
CAR 99
No heat signatures. You do have a panel—it looks like the engine access panel on the inward part of the number one engine—is in the open position.
CAR 99
I'm not seeing any fire or hot spots. But you do have a panel—it looks like the engine maintenance door on the inner side of your left engine—that is sitting wide open.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it felt like the engine separated. It was a major, major boom when it went.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it felt like the engine just ripped off the wing. There was a massive, massive bang when it happened.
CAR 99
Okay. From where I could see, I only see the access panel. I didn’t see any separation from the front of the cowl or anything like that. Nothing on the side, and nothing on the inside from what I can see from here.
CAR 99
Okay. From my perspective, I only see that open door. I didn't see any pieces missing from the front engine housing or anything like that. Nothing on the side or the inner part looks detached from what I can see here.
DELTA 1888
Okay. How about the main gear? How do both tires look? Any reason I can’t taxi the airplane?
DELTA 1888
Okay. What about the landing gear? How do the tires look? Any reason I shouldn't try to drive the plane off the runway?
CAR 99
No unusual heat signatures. Do you want a number, or do you have a reading on your end?
CAR 99
No signs of overheating. Do you want the specific temperature reading, or are you seeing that on your screens in the cockpit?
DELTA 1888
No, I’m just looking to see if any pieces may have left the engine into the tires themselves that would prevent me from taxiing.
DELTA 1888
No, I'm just trying to see if any debris flew out of the engine and into the tires, which would stop me from being able to drive the plane.
CAR 99
Okay. I’m going to walk up for a closer inspection. Just standby. Is the right engine powered down as much as possible right now?
CAR 99
Okay. I’m going to walk up for a closer look. Just wait a moment. Is that right-side engine throttled down as low as it can go right now?
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it’s at idle.
DELTA 1888
Yeah, it’s just idling.
CAR 99
All right, give me one second.
CAR 99
Okay, just give me a moment.
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