PNG P2-PXB Mercury Spill

[Greg Hyde]

P2-PXB suffered a Mercury spill on 23/07/24.

The a/c hasn't flown since.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/mercury-spill-on-px-aircraft-investigated/

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/the-minister-for-transport-and-civil-aviation-endorses-aic-investigation-into-mercury-spillage-incident/

The reason I mention this event is because VH-FKE (F100) leased from Alliance around 2006 suffered the same incident and was written off as uneconomic to repair.

FKE is now with the BNE Airport fire trainer.

We will see what fate awaits P2-PXB

[Robert.M]

Only received the aircraft in May and had its first flight in June!

[MarkR]

Been happening for over 50 years in PNG, not unusual. This won’t result in a write off as it’s very different to the Fokker.

[Greg Hyde]

Been happening for over 50 years in PNG, not unusual. This won’t result in a write off as it’s very different to the Fokker.

Have you got more examples ?

Both are aluminum, whats the difference ?

The reaction of Aluminum & Mercury produces Aluminum amalgam.

Due to the reactivity of aluminium amalgam, restrictions are placed on the use and handling of mercury in proximity with aluminium. In particular, large amounts of mercury are not allowed aboard aircraft under most circumstances because of the risk of it forming amalgam with exposed aluminium parts in the aircraft.

Even the transportation and packaging of mercury-containing thermometers and barometers is severely restricted. Accidental mercury spills in aircraft do sometimes result in insurance write-offs.

[Brenden S]

That isn't flying again unless it was contained to the floor boards.

[MarkR]

Have you got more examples ?

Both are aluminum, whats the difference ?

The reaction of Aluminum & Mercury produces Aluminum amalgam.

.

I am not saying it’s minor either, just that the circumstances are very different, when Allianz went to Fokker for help there was none, and no jigs existed to do the fix, where as Boeing have in place procedures and equipment to correct the issue. Polar reactivated a 747 that was previously subject to a Mercury spill. They happen on a semi regular basis in PNG, especially on routes to Hagen, Wau and Bullolo.

[Greg Hyde]

I am not saying it’s minor either, just that the circumstances are very different, when Allianz went to Fokker for help there was none, and no jigs existed to do the fix, where as Boeing have in place procedures and equipment to correct the issue. Polar reactivated a 747 that was previously subject to a Mercury spill. They happen on a semi regular basis in PNG, especially on routes to Hagen, Wau and Bullolo.

Fake news again.

No reference or verification to "Been happening for over 50 years in PNG, not unusual".

Your statement saying "not unusual" which you can't prove, downplays the whole incident to being a minor issue.

The reaction creating Aluminum amalgam will "eat" any Aluminum it can find. The mercury is reduced (in volume) but not significantly, and the reaction will continue until all the Aluminum is consumed.

As Brenden says "That isn't flying again unless it was contained to the floor boards" is true because of the difficulty in tracing which part of the aircraft structure has been weakened.

The Polar story:

The 1979-build 747-200F was being operated by Southern Air Transport when, during routine maintenance in February 1996, extensive mercury contamination was discovered below the main cargo deck. The aircraft had suffered a mercury spill about a month before the contamination was discovered, but had been returned to service when the liquid metal had been recovered from below the aft maindeck cargo door sill.

Because of the damage, the insurers deemed the aircraft to be a constructive total loss. Since then, the 747 - serial number 21827, a relatively sought-after -200F delivered new as a freighter equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q engines and both nose and side-cargo doors - has been repaired by Evergreen Air Center in Marana, Arizona, and sold to Wetmore Finance.

It has also been to the Matrix plant in Tijuana, Mexico, for extensive maintenance work.

The aircraft, which was remarketed by Fortis Aviation, will re-enter service with Polar in December on a 63-month operating lease.

Polar leased the aircraft after it was written-off and rebuilt

https://www.flightglobal.com/polar-resurrects-747-freighter/18447.article

[MarkR]

Fake news again.

No reference or verification to "Been happening for over 50 years in PNG, not unusual".

Your statement saying "not unusual" which you can't prove, downplays the whole incident to being a minor issue.




LOL, my experience as a pilot in PNG is the basis of my post, no proof needed. Fortunately I am not the only only one saying this the case, you might want to read the thread on Pprune including this post by the moderator

Mercury spills in PNG aircraft, especially operating into Wau, Bullolo and Hagen, have been happening for over 50 years to my knowledge.


https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/660824-air-niugini-b737-p2-pxb-damaged-mercury-spill.html?highlight=Mercury

Here’s the reference for the official investigation https://www.aic.gov.pg/investigation/948, there is no data available yet on actual damage so it’s probably best to cool our jets so to speak and not jump to conclusions, especially with anything to do with PNG ;)

[Greg Hyde]

Fake news, reposting of unsubstantiated information.

You seem to of forgotten the Polar Air B747 after the facts were checked.

[Michael Mak]

P2-PXB has just taken off flying POM-MNL as PX6010, first time it’s returned to the air since the incident, presumably for maintenance? It’s currently climbing through FL370 and it looks like the cabin is pressurised.

[MarkR]

P2-PXB has just taken off flying POM-MNL as PX6010, first time it’s returned to the air since the incident, presumably for maintenance? It’s currently climbing through FL370 and it looks like the cabin is pressurised.

Been back in regular service since 25 sept when she returned from Manila.

[Greg Hyde]

PNG Incident Reports:

Occurence Class: Serious Incident

Spill contained to rear hold.

FACTUAL Reports etc

http://45.63.31.19/investigation/948

[Dennis McLean]

763, P2-PXW, ferried POM to China on Saturday 29 March. The Air Niugini Schedule shows only one 763 operating from 30 March till 31 August, so I guess that both 763's are going for maintenance.

[Dennis McLean]

PXW returned from China on 11 April 25 and PXV headed to China on the 11th, late in the evening.