British Airways Flight 9, also known as the "Jakarta Incident," was a scheduled international passenger flight that suffered a catastrophic engine failure on June 24, 1982. The Boeing 747-200B, registration G-BDXH, was flying from London Heathrow Airport to Auckland, New Zealand, with stops in Bombay, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Perth, Australia. On board were 263 people, including 15 crew members and 248 passengers.
Incident Overview
The flight departed from Kuala Lumpur and was en route to Perth when it encountered a volcanic ash cloud from the eruption of Mount Galunggung in Indonesia. At around 13:40 UTC, the crew noticed a decrease in engine power and an increase in engine vibration. The aircraft’s engines, which were designed to withstand normal atmospheric conditions, were not equipped to handle the abrasive and corrosive properties of volcanic ash.
Engine Failure
As the aircraft flew through the ash cloud, all four engines failed, one by one, due to the accumulation of ash and debris in the engine compressors. The crew declared an emergency and began to descend to a lower altitude in an attempt to restart the engines. However, the engines would not restart, and the aircraft was forced to glide towards the nearest airport, Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.
The crew's decision to divert to Jakarta was based on the airport's proximity to the aircraft's position and the availability of emergency services. The aircraft landed safely at 14:05 UTC, and all passengers and crew members were evacuated without serious injury.
| Engine Failure Sequence | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|
| No. 4 engine | 13:40 |
| No. 2 engine | 13:42 |
| No. 1 engine | 13:44 |
| No. 3 engine | 13:46 |
Investigation and Aftermath
The investigation into the incident was led by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) and assisted by the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The investigation found that the engine failure was caused by the ingestion of volcanic ash into the engines, which caused the compressor blades to fail and the engines to shut down.
The incident led to significant changes in the way airlines and regulatory bodies approach volcanic ash avoidance. The ICAO developed new guidelines for volcanic ash detection and avoidance, and airlines began to implement more robust ash avoidance procedures. The incident also highlighted the importance of crew resource management and emergency procedures in responding to unexpected events.
Lessons Learned
The British Airways Flight 9 incident provided valuable lessons for the aviation industry. The importance of volcanic ash detection and avoidance was highlighted, and the need for robust emergency procedures and crew resource management was emphasized. The incident also demonstrated the value of effective communication and cooperation between airlines, regulatory bodies, and emergency services in responding to unexpected events.
The incident has been the subject of numerous studies and analyses, and it continues to be used as a case study in aviation safety and emergency response training programs. The incident has also led to the development of new technologies and procedures for volcanic ash detection and avoidance, which have improved the safety of air travel in regions prone to volcanic activity.
What was the cause of the engine failure on British Airways Flight 9?
+The engine failure was caused by the ingestion of volcanic ash into the engines, which caused the compressor blades to fail and the engines to shut down.
What were the consequences of the incident for the aviation industry?
+The incident led to significant changes in the way airlines and regulatory bodies approach volcanic ash avoidance, including the development of new guidelines and procedures for ash detection and avoidance.
What lessons can be learned from the British Airways Flight 9 incident?
+The incident highlights the importance of volcanic ash detection and avoidance, robust emergency procedures, and effective crew resource management in responding to unexpected events. It also demonstrates the value of effective communication and cooperation between airlines, regulatory bodies, and emergency services.
