Airliner with 350 Passengers On Board Stuck in Grass

Astyanax

Well you don’t see this happening everyday around here.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/19/plane-carrying-350-passengers-aborts-takeoff-at-melbourne-orlando-international-airport-gets-stuck-in-grass/

The article said an “alarm” went off in the cockpit from this happening. I’m no pilot so I’m curious what alarm that would be.

Guy54435

Astyanax Traction Control Warning /s

px_eliezer_

Astyanax Well you don’t see this happening everyday around here.

On the same page:

3 guys wanted to skateboard, so they took a sledgehammer and started breaking up the curb alongside the Melbourne (Florida) police station.

The mugshots are worth a look.
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/17/skaters-caught-taking-sledgehammer-to-brevard-parking-lot-it-turned-out-to-be-the-police-station/

broknsymetry

Astyanax The article said an “alarm” went off in the cockpit from this happening. I’m no pilot so I’m curious what alarm that would be.

The cockpit “alarm” is why the pilot aborted the takeoff; getting stuck in the grass occurred when they were taxiing back.

Astyanax

px_eliezer_ On the same page:

3 guys wanted to skateboard, so they took a sledgehammer and started breaking up the curb alongside the Melbourne (Florida) police station.

The mugshots are worth a look.
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/17/skaters-caught-taking-sledgehammer-to-brevard-parking-lot-it-turned-out-to-be-the-police-station/

Missed that story but umm…that building has written in giant block capital letters on the front: “MELBOURNE POLICE DEPARTMENT” and is actually the police HQ! I wonder what these thirty-something year-old skateboarders were smoking to have not seen that. Also aren’t they a bit old to still be doing that even being the dirtbags they are?

Astyanax

broknsymetry The cockpit “alarm” is why the pilot aborted the takeoff; getting stuck in the grass occurred when they were taxiing back.

That’s what I get for reading the story once as I’m running out the door to Easter dinner. I’m no pilot but know planes have all kinds of alarms for things. I saw the “they had an alarm” part and was wondering “they actually have a ’you’re-stuck-in-the-grass’ alarm too”? 😄

Anyway those poor Brits can’t be happy and want to get home.

Heat84

Why couldn’t they just use the engines to get the plane unstuck?

px_eliezer_

Heat84

Risk of a grass fire, perhaps.
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/no-injuries-after-united-airlines-flight-causes-fire-at-logan-airport/3527507/

Also they cannot count on the grass safely supporting the weight of the plane, suppose while trying to move the plane just by its engines the wheels hit a dip and the plane tilts over. Hence the need for special tow equipment….

Somewhat-Reticent

Astyanax aren’t they a bit old to still be doing that

Physically or mentally?

Bombtrad

Astyanax I’m curious what alarm that would be.

If an Australian one, the voice alarm would be “Well; bugger me dead”!!!

Astyanax

px_eliezer_ Also they cannot count on the grass safely supporting the weight of the plane, suppose while trying to move the plane just by its engines the wheels hit a dip and the plane tilts over. Hence the need for special tow equipment….

The gear looked fairly deep into the ground and they were probably more concerned with damaging the gear than it tipping over. Also offloading the passengers and luggage would help lighten the load.

Either way the pilot has some ’splainin to do. I guess he was driving on the wrong side of the runway here. 😉

Bombtrad

With a wheel off the tarmac any attempt to “fly” it out ot pull out would mean the undercart would collapse. They aren’t built to take any other than vertical loads.

Collapsing the undercart would basically mean a crumpled wing and other severe damage. easier to lift and move the few yards with special lifting gear.