Virgin Plane headed off course GVAST VIR73

Metalface Mark · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:35

Noticed that a plane headed from Manchester to Orlando, Virgin73, has put out a distress signal. Its headed towards london.

Anyone know anything more about it?

StriderX · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:36

Richard Branson went KAMIKAZE!

antijoke · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:37

Hopefully will be nothing.

DJMK4 · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:37

Not seeing anything online? where are you getting this info from

Metalface Mark · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:38

Its apparently dumped its fuel.

http://frrole.com/o/squawk-7700-emergency-vir73-from-manc-flightradar24-manchester

Traffic_Warden · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:38

http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/VIR73

http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/vs73/

Seems to be heading for gatwick.

Metalface Mark · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:39

Click on that you can see the route it took.

Skillmister · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:40

That looked like fun

Metalface Mark · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:40

Traffic_Warden said:
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/VIR73

Seems it has landed but no info as of yet.

Says its at 12,000 feet on flightradar.

DJMK4 · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:42

Anyone have any info why it done a fuel dump in what looks like the Sea? would it be a weight thing or something else?

StriderX · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:43

An engine could have failed and they may have required the extra gliding time?

neodude · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:43

Not an unusual occurrence. We get a 7700 into Edinburgh on average once a week. Usually a medical emergency with one of the passengers.

Metalface Mark · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:43

Thats the puzzle, and if it was in trouble, why not just head back to Manchester? Why goto London?

Is Virgin's HQ at one of the London airports?

mp3duck · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:43

DJMK4 said:
Anyone have any info why it done a fuel dump in what looks like the Sea? would it be a weight thing or something else?

Because I don't think people on land would like an Jet Fuel shower

Westyfield2 · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:44

Skillmister said:
That looked like fun

[IMG ]http://i.imgur.com/BH2Nn.jpg[/IMG]

Fuel dump over the sea?

neodude · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:45

DJMK4 said:
Anyone have any info why it done a fuel dump in what looks like the Sea? would it be a weight thing or something else?

They dump fuel to lose weight. The aircraft will have a maximum landing weight which is usually lower than the maximum take-off weight.

RomanNose · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:45

DJMK4 said:
Anyone have any info why it done a fuel dump in what looks like the Sea? would it be a weight thing or something else?

Yeah, they probably have to get to a certain weight for landing. More weight = harder to get back up if you abort the landing.

robgmun · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:45

Metalface Mark said:
Thats the puzzle, and if it was in trouble, why not just head back to Manchester? Why goto London?

If you managed to get out of Manchester, would you go back??

TehBluebear · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:45

Why didn't it just land back at Manchester again? Or even Liverpool? Why London?

Traffic_Warden · 24 Aug 2012 at 15:45

Metalface Mark said:
Says its at 12,000 feet on flightradar.

I know check the other link its live , seems to be heading for gatwick

http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/vs73/