Todos
← Back to Squawk list
United Flight Returns to Hawaii Because of Fuel Issues Due to Headwinds
A United Airlines flight heading to San Francisco returned to Hawaii Sunday afternoon after only two hours due to a fuel issue caused by strong headwinds. (abcnews.go.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
As the Captain of UA724 that day I have intimate knowledge of the flight. Our flight planning package showed a not uncommon 80 knot tailwind all the way to the mainland at FL380. We boarded a perfectly adequate fuel load including a 2000# pad for our ETOPS critical point. Some (as yet not explained) computer error was forecasting seriously erroneous winds. Actual winds were a sustained 110 knots at 90 degrees to our course resulting in a calculated 6500# overburn by the ETOPS critical time point. This would have resulted in an unacceptably long time to be at risk of splashing short of either KSFO or PHNL in the event of a failure that required descent. With the full support of United we decided the safest course of action was to return to PHNL. It is exactly this level of dedication to safe flight operations that results in United's extraordinary safety record.
Thanks for the post. It will be a disappointment to the conspiracy theorists and haters, but welcomed otherwise.
Thank you for the post Captain. Always best to hear from those involved. As most on here agree, regardless of the circumstance that caused the return, the correct decision was made. Safe travels.
Thanks captain for the information and the right decision that ultimately saw everyone reach their destination safely.
The captain's explanation is, I believe, supported by the log available on this website. His ground speed was a high as 530 kts in the climb (while climbing @ 1,600fpm), but fell below 470 kts not long after leveling off, and was 450 kts after turning back. This supports his assertion that winds changed significantly while enroute, and were at a 90 degree angle to his flight path. The ETOPS calc he referenced is for a very remote circumstance, but it's a requirement for a reason, and he made the right decision.
In this year of unusual weather, perhaps the jet stream moved significantly southward in a few hours, from tailwind to crosswind. Bay Area weather forecasting has been especially problematic this year.