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AF639 flew back to IAH because a mobile phone was found on board and its owner could not be identified. Result: 5 hours delay (still in the air now): http://maps.vox.flightaware.com/map17/flex/CA9292ED93D0CF58A8E3706909D498BA
Does it make sense? Looking forward to read the specialists...
didnt look at the maps
presumably it wasnt past its half way point
and there where no nearer airports then yes I suppose it does
Now I'm no expert on these matters, but couldn't they have descended to 10,000' then depressurised the plane, opened the pilots window and dropped it in the sea?
It makes no sense at all. But common sense in the US is hard to find these days!
"Now I'm no expert on these matters, but couldn't they have descended to 10,000' then depressurised the plane, opened the pilots window and dropped it in the sea?"
I'm no expert either, but I think the risk of it being sucked into an engine or hitting a control surface would rule that out.
Also, if the DV window wouldn't close again, they would have to divert re: fuel, so probably not the favoured option.
Doesn't exactly sound the type of manoeuvre the CAA would approve of. Why not just open the rear door and drop it out? Naturally, someone hanging on the steward's legs whilst done.
Little for them to worry about if it had been a BBerry, as it probably would not have been working.
Well, proof if it were needed that I'm no expert! Never thought of that DoS!
Cellphones can be used to trigger explosives remotely and they can also be modified to carry expolsives and receive commands. Someone was very stupid to allow a phone on board (assuming crew did pre flight search correctly).
All in all though I would be far more worried about Air France's safety record than a cellphone.
I have also been told that certain airbus aircraft have proven sensitive to in flight cell phone disturbance. i will not publish details here but it involves a large number of coincidences and is restricted to two particular airbus families.
Rich, Which two Airbus families?
And how an airline can restrict mobile phones? We all carry one...
Not at liberty to provide that info directly. My understanding is they are not the latest generation and steps have been taken to minimize any possible interaction.
All I can say is look at carrier policies on cellphone usage on taxiing...
Airlines do not need to ban cellphones. The worry really comes with modified equipment that is not accompanied.
What I have always wanted to know is that if you fly an American carrier you can use your phone almost immediately after touchdown the announcements are along the lines of if you can access your phone without moving your luggage you can do so now .. why is this not the case in Europe
Rich, I wonder if the next cover-up story for the AF447 shoot down will be avionics interference caused by a phone.
Emirates also allows use of cell phones immediately after touchdown - even at LGW and LHR.
Phones are often left on planes - frequently found in luggage bins and seat pockets. All that would be required to render a rogue phone safe would be to remove the battery - or hit it hard with a bottle !
A rogue mobile phone would never be allowed into the cockpit. Standard procedure is to leave it alone and talk to "the experts" on the ground to decide a course of action.
Stowage222, can we assume "the experts" ordered the plane to go back to IAH?
An interesting thread. I remember watching a Discovery chanel type programme which attempted to simulate interference from a mobile phone with an aircraft's instrumentation. They concluded that it was unlikely, but not impossible.
I also remember being on a CX flight from HKG to LAX when the captain woke everybody in mid flight and asked us to all check that our phones were off. He said that he was getting some strange signals and would have to divert if they continued. He thanked us soon after, and we continued on our way, and that was on a 747!
I think the problem maybe is multiple phones seeking a signal, not just an odd one or two.
Swiss - obviously we would not be made aware of the instructions given to the pilots but the security experts on the ground would be in a position to look at other factors (such as known threats etc) which would influence their course of action.
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