by emfrat » Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:44 pm
Don't know about the QNH, but the QFE might be 839mb.
An overtired BOAC Comet IV FO, who would be called PF these days, was making an ILS approach to Nairobi in Feb 1964 and inadvertently set his altimeter to 938 when the actual QFE was 839.
There is no suggestion that this man was affected by alcohol - the investigation board said he made an error "difficult, if not impossible to prevent" and "to which humans are liable".
The board noted the 'luck' of the situation - 838 would have made no difference, when reversed; 837 reversed was 738 which just could not be set, but 839 was reversible, and the result was a huge undershoot, fortunately with the wheels already down, from which a quick thinking crew were able to apply go-around power and land safely at the destination.
Source "Aircrash Detective", Stephen Barlay, 1969, Coronet paperback 1975.
Last edited by
emfrat on Wed Nov 06, 2013 9:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
MikeW'Propliner' is actually short for 'Proper airliner, with big rumbly radials'
