Don81603 From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 1185 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 7 months 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2104 times:
The recent earthquake in Hawaii, and subsequent temporary airport closure got me thinking. What would happen in the case of WS (for example) being about 30 minutes out, and the airport closes. I highly doubt the 737 would be able to return to the mainland, and if the earthquake was severe enough to damage the runways, what alternatives would there be?
I'm positive the FAA has looked at this, but does anyone know "What next?" Other than the Hawaiian Islands, the next closest runway I'm aware of is Midway, some 1200 miles further west, but can a 737 carry that much fuel for an extra 2 hours?
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
Jdl1527 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 52 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2087 times:
The airports were closed for out going flights only, incoming flights could still come in as normally if they did not divert earlier like many flights did.
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21025 posts, RR: 60 Reply 2, posted (6 years 7 months 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2077 times:
The odds of all HI airports being closed to incoming traffic no matter what the emergency are astronomical. Even if your destination airport had a landslide and the alternates had no power, you'd still be able to land the old fashioned way.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Out of the above 14 airports listed, about 10 have runways long enough to land a 737, and the odds of all of them (plus military bases) all being unusable strike me as being quite remote.
IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4717 posts, RR: 26 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 2000 times:
Quoting OPNLguy (Reply 5): I think he was referring to a lack of electrical power at the airport...
Tiki torches maybe?
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 2): The odds of all HI airports being closed to incoming traffic no matter what the emergency are astronomical
That is so true and we would be talking of an emergency situation where any port in a storm, with airplanes with little or no gas having LARGE breaks and motors to stop in a hurry!
But good question for sure.
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12329 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1942 times:
ATC, signal systems, some bare minimum runway lighting (at night) would have some emergency power. There would be no outgoing flights. ATC would handle long haul inbound flights, although with some additional spacing, care to make sure a landing airport isn't damaged and diverting a/c if their destination airport is damaged or without any power. Some flights that just departed close to their take off airport would probably have to turn back. Some inbound flights would have to divert if possible.
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