So there I was flying home to Salt Lake City from a nice vacation in Florida on the Gulf Coast. I am not overly fond of flying to begin with, but if I’m going to leave this earth I want to see what’s coming, so I always book a window seat.
Upon descent to Salt Lake International I look out the window and notice a liquid substance running over the top of the wing. I discreetly point it out to a flight attendant who assures me that everything is okay, then walks off.
As we begin approach to the runway, I feel the plane thrust forward and we begin to regain altitude. As confusion begins to set in among the other passengers, the captain comes over the intercom and announced that we had to make a loop and redirect to another runway.
About 20-30 minutes later we begin another approach, and the captain announces that there is a hydraulic problem with our flaps (the wing part that creates drag to slow the plane down). He assures us that everything is okay, and said not to worry about all of the emergency vehicles/personnel on the sides of the runway as they’re merely a standard precaution. This is when I wished I had ordered more cocktails.
We had to have been going over 300 miles an hour when we hit that runway. It was like riding a comet to earth. All ended well, but I still may have a bit of that seat cushion pinched between my cheeks.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm assuming the pilot couldn't get the flaps to move, so he had to touch down without flaps. Flaps allow the plane to fly at slower speeds by creating a more cambered wing, as well as creates the "pitch-up" attitude that you see most aircraft taking prior to landing (so they can land on the main gear). Since one flap wasn't working, the pilot probably decided to land with the flaps up, which means you have to land at a faster speed since the wing isn't cambered enough to fly at lower speeds. I've been in a couple landings like this myself, it's a good jolt!
Not to be too picky Chris, but the flaps do not create any pitch up. They do allow the plane to fly at lower speeds by increasing the lift of the wing. They also allow a steeper decent without gaining speed as they also generate more drag.
Not to be picky Rich, but you misspelled "descent".
As if you expected the flight attendant to say, "We're all going to die."
Remember, you can use that bit of seat cushion from your cheeks as a flotation device. Hahahaha