QF64 24hrs late - SA Rugby team on board

[Kieran Wells]

Just hearing reports that QF64 has returned to Jo'burg 2 hours into flight after the number 3 engine "failed" and overheated. Only reason this seems to be on the news is that the South African Rugby Union team are on board on their way for the tri-nations.

Still currently showing on FIDS as 2 hours late though.

[Nigel C]

No doubt just part of the evil plan for The Great Crusade!

MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

http://www.thegreatcrusade.com/

:p

[Jason H]

Aircraft was VH-OJL. This aircraft turned back to Bangkok 2 months ago with engine problems, I wonder if this is at all related.

[Shayne G]

Noticed QF6020 going to Johannesburg, is this an replacement aircraft or a possible V-pod op?

[Jason H]

Looks like VH-OJU is on its way to JNB now

[Grahame Hutchison]

VH-OJU QF6020 16/07/2011 14:31 Qantas B747-438 Sydney-Johannesburg

ACARS mode: S Aircraft reg: .VH-OJU
Message label: H1 Block id: 3 Msg. no: D90A
Flight id: QF6020
Message content:-
#2PBCLB
VH-OJU QFA6020
0436 16JUL11 YSSY FAJS CL 681 948 148
L -233 20 20003 713 3304 325265
R -240 15 20043 715 3311 325265
1 963 965 898 5800 5058 1608 675 71 132 205 056 10
2 968 970
-------------------------------------[16/07/2011 14:45]

Tracking out over Macquarie Fields and ODALE

[Kieran Wells]

lol @ Nigel... I agree... Part of Qantas' plan!!

[Ash W]

I was rather amused by the report on ABC news on-line.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-16/boks-in-mid-air-scare/2797102

In particular the bit where it speaks about the players tweats, where two players tweated about loosing an engine at take off when the news report says it was shut down due to vibrations 2 hours into the flight. Guess the truth sounds a tad less melodramatic than reality.

[Bernie P]

QF63 departed today, via Perth, with a 5th pod...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5948551121_2c7ca4af26_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5948552629_da43b05a27_z.jpg

[Brenden S]

Chris, would take at least 48hrs for the engineers to change the engine, so maybe Thursday/Friday

[Shayne G]

I too am hoping to see a V-pod op, so if one does go ahead can someone let the board know!
It came to my attention (after todays QF63 already departed) the V-pod operation today was mentioned 2 days ago on a site I'm sure many members use, it's a shame no one bought it up here and we all weren't ready! :(

[Jason H]

QF63 is already a very long flight, for non ER aircraft as well. I wonder what the increase in fuel required is with the addition of the 5th engine.

[Peter Agatsiotis]

Chris, OJN arrived last night as QF64 (around 7:30 pm). It departed as QF63 this morning. The general concensus is that VH-OJL will carry the 5th pod once the engines have been swapped over.

[Shayne G]

I'm a bit confused, VH-OJL should be back tonight from Johannesburg at 8:00pm operating QF6020?

If OJL does do the supposed V-pod op would it go back later on for the engine or is it due tonight with a V-pod?

[Jayden Laing]

I can confirm from a good source that OJL is due in tonight as QF6020 & WILL BE carrying a 5th engine.

[Fred C]

When the QF63 went over with V-Pod it stopped off in Perth for some gas.:D

[Grahame Hutchison]

1916L OJL is now overhead Narrandera at FL370 and 507kts, heading 088.
1934L Descending through FL300 approaching TARAL, speed back to 451kts.
1937L Overhead TARAL at FL275 and now back to 421kts, tracking for RIVET.
1942L Overhead RIVET at FL166 and back to 344kts, tracking towards Picton and Sutherland.
1953L Turning onto final overhead Hornsby at 3700ft at 208kts.
1958L Touchdown Runway 16R

VH-OJL QF6020 20/07/2011 19:55 Qantas B747-438 Sydney-Johannesburg

[James G.]

I'm about 3km south of Hornsby right under the flight path and just heard OJL go over about 5 minutes ago.

[Jacob P]

Hey chris, awesome shot as always! good effort without the tripod.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Great shot Chris

[Peter Agatsiotis]

I agree, great shot Chris considering conditions (better than some of my daylight shots:o)