Passengers watch wheel falling off their plane but don't think to tell anyone

I'm sure Kymmy won't mind me pointing out that she is herself ex-RAF. When it comes to judging what's an intelligent question with regards to aircraft design and operations, I'll take her first-hand experience over your second-hand experience any day.

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Damien

Probably didn't want to cause a fuss.

True. up in the air and people panicking just because a wheel fell off?

best just to keep it to yourself.

[Hom3r]

I work for a company that puts new rubber on plane wheel rims, as well as landing gear to name two things

[Halcyon]

I would always tell the cabin crew and have done in the past if I felt something was not right.

Rather it be sorted out on the ground or be informed all is ok than discover problems in the climb or in mid air.

Originally Posted by New to cable

My uncle is RAF an has been at Scampton and is currently at Shawbury and I think I will choose to believe his "Employment history" which I know is 100% fact.

I didn't realise the RAF had Bombadier Q400's?

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by New to cable

My uncle is RAF an has been at Scampton and is currently at Shawbury and I think I will choose to believe his "Employment history" which I know is 100% fact.

Oh dear another fail from you, what a surprise, pity you do not take notice of posts giving her previous employment.

Originally Posted by New to cable

WOW LOL, Shows how little you know, For one that aircraft has an history of issues and two you wouldn't get any pressure reading at all. I suspect this would leave the pilot to believe there was a fault.

As a zero pressure reading is unheard of. Although your post did make me laugh lol...

WOW LOL aren't you rude . As it happens there are numerous systems available to detect low tire pressure in aircraft they are called TPMS

A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a means to electronically measure and report the current tire pressure. Some systems are capable of transmitting the information to the flight deck while other systems are for use on the ground by maintenance personnel

http://standards.sae.org/arp6137/

[Tim Deegan]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Apparently, that particular aircraft has a history of landing gear problems:

I see what you mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63-fzw52XBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=UIBKXe20NAo

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by martyh

WOW LOL aren't you rude . As it happens there are numerous systems available to detect low tire pressure in aircraft they are called TPMS



http://standards.sae.org/arp6137/

None of the wheels that my comapny touch have this system in the wheels.

[Kymmy]

Chris try looking at the plane spotters thread if you want more lulz

The pressure sensors on that tyre will read LOW (that is any point from their alarm setting to zero) so the loss of the wheel itself will give a LOW reading (the same if the sensor pipe failed or the tyre was punctured)

Either way the alarm reading or the handling of the aircraft (lateral shift of the CoG or reduction in drag to one side) should also have alerted a professional pilot to their being an issue somewhere..

I'm now looking forward to the next (let's get one over on Kymmy) attempt by this poster as it's really lifting my spirits atm

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by New to cable

My uncle is RAF an has been at Scampton and is currently at Shawbury and I think I will choose to believe his "Employment history" which I know is 100% fact.

My Uncle was head mechanic at one of the largest Volkswagen Audi Group service centres in the Midlands (he actually had the honour of servicing the last orginal Beetle that was built, which was never sold by VW). Doesn't follow that I know enough about the mechanics behind how cars operate enough to argue with a qualified mechanic.

[Kymmy]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

I checked with a wheel guy at work and none that he knows of have any pressure sensors in them.

We do C-130, Helicopters, 737, gulfstream & other small size aircraft and some Airbus.

Tyre maintenance systems have been around for many a year with the first pressure detection systems for aircraft being patented pre WW2. It does depend on the manufacturer with a few aircraft having it as standard and some as an option. It is though isn't compulsory and looking round I'm surprised that few commercial aircraft have it installed. Instead it seems to be cargo carriers (especially oversized) that have these systems fitted as well as being more prevalent states side. I didn't state that the Q400 had one fitted or not but assumed that for such a crucial part that most manufacturers would fit one as standard.. Either way the pilot should have known whether by alarm or handling..

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Tyre maintenance systems have been around for many a year with the first pressure detection systems for aircraft being patented pre WW2. It does depend on the manufacturer with a few aircraft having it as standard and some as an option. It is though isn't compulsory and looking round I'm surprised that few commercial aircraft have it installed. Instead it seems to be cargo carriers (especially oversized) that have these systems fitted as well as being more prevalent states side.

Actually, this isn't strictly related to the thread, but in my pre-Uni days, I was a freight forwarding clerk. I was slightly alarmed to find that often the restrictions on the vehicles used to carry freight were (in some cases) a lot harsher than those used to carry people. For instance, if the frieght was carried under a letter of credit, the LOC often specified that the vehicle used (be it a plane or ship) was less than 15 years old. AFAIK, no such restriction exists on Passenger vehicles.

[Kymmy]

Usually the case, the freight can be worth more and a more straight forward pay-out than the lives of the passengers

[Stuart]

Yeah, but at the time I was a Freight Forwarding clerk, I was naive enough to believe that Human lives were more important than goods...