What was going on with United at IAD this morning?

[Fearless Tower]

Watched two UAL jets almost in a row at Dulles go from 'line up and wait' to 'we need exit the runway to clear a flight control problem'

Wouldn't have thought much about it except that two different aircraft right after each other had the same problem right in the middle of a big push.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Icing ?

 

[Fearless Tower]

Icing ?

Plenty warm on the ground today.

 

[kayoh190]

What kind of airplanes?

 

[Fearless Tower]

One was a 737. Other was either a Bus or might have been one of the larger Embraers.

 

[Larry in TN]

I fly the 737. Can't imagine what kind of flight control problem comes up right before takeoff. We do the check after push/before taxi. That's also when the flaps/slats are set for takeoff.

 

[Fearless Tower]

I fly the 737. Can't imagine what kind of flight control problem comes up right before takeoff. We do the check after push/before taxi. That's also when the flaps/slats are set for takeoff.

No clue, that's just what they told tower. I suspect it was more of an FMS issue/discrepancy than physical controls. Neither aircraft asked to go back to the gate, just exit the runway to 'sort it out'

 

[AWACSEng]

Takeoff Config warning? Instead of sorting on the runway, maybe pulling off to run through the possibilities? Can't imagine a flight control malfunction (that typically requires mx action) that can be remedied in the time it takes to clear and get back in line for departure.

Kinda interesting 2 in a row, though!

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Maybe they rushed things...and weren't really ready?

 

[Art VanDelay]

Waiting for final numbers.

 

[RyanB]

Waiting for final numbers.

I wouldn't think they'd accept the "line up and wait" instruction if that was the case but I dunno..

 

[mscard88]

I wouldn't think they'd accept the "line up and wait" instruction if that was the case but I dunno..

Unless the conga line was realllll long!

 

[RyanB]

Unless the conga line was realllll long!

Back'a the line now buddy...

 

[mscard88]

Back'a the line now buddy...

Been there done that at JFK.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Maybe they rushed things...and weren't really ready?

Possible, but then what were they doing while waiting in a 8 aircraft deep line?

 

[Mason]

Some airlines call Dispatch "Flight Control" but that term is usually only used internally...

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Possible, but then what were they doing while waiting in a 8 aircraft deep line?

Sometimes getting your numbers for takeoff is outside your control...

 

[Larry in TN]

Takeoff Config warning?

Takeoff config is checked prior to entering the runway.

Waiting for final numbers.

They never would have accepted the line-up-and-wait if they didn't have final numbers. Too much to do after they arrive.

Some airlines call Dispatch "Flight Control" but that term is usually only used internally...

Nope. Three airlines ago it was "flight control", though. LOL

 

[ARFlyer]

My guess would be a bad takeoff config or failure. I've had a sensor fail on me at throttle up.

"Takeoff FLAPS"

Uhh.... They're set....

"Takeoff FLAPS"

"Sigh..."

 

[jordane93]

Glitch in the matrix?

 

[Fearless Tower]

It kinda reminded me of the Eastern Airlines antics in the late 80s. United having any union problems?

 

[Zeldman]

No TP in the lavatories...???