The Extraordinary Story of British Airways Flight 9

On June 24, 1982, British Airways Flight 9, a Boeing 747-200 (registration G-BDXH), embarked on what seemed to be an ordinary scheduled journey from London to Auckland, New Zealand. The route included stops in Bombay, Kuala Lumpur, Perth, and Melbourne. However, as the aircraft made its way from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, an unexpected encounter with a volcanic ash cloud nearly ended in disaster. This incident has become a hallmark of aviation resilience and ingenuity.

A Routine Start

The initial legs of Flight 9 were uneventful. A new crew boarded in Kuala Lumpur to take over the Perth segment. As the aircraft cruised southward, the flight crew noticed an unusual phenomenon resembling St. Elmo’s fire on the windshield—a visual effect caused by an atmospheric electric field. Despite the weather radar showing clear skies, the pilots activated the engine de-icing system and illuminated the passenger seatbelt sign as a precaution.

It was the 1980s, an era when smoking onboard was permitted. So, when smoke started filling the cabin, it was initially dismissed as cigarette smoke. But the intensity of the smoke and the emergence of a distinct sulfur smell hinted at something far more ominous. Passengers seated near the engines observed a blue glow emanating from the turbines—an eerie sign of impending danger.

Engines Fail Mid-Flight

At 20:42 local time, the aircraft’s number 4 engine flamed out. Acting quickly, the crew shut it down, cut off its fuel supply, and armed the fire extinguishers. Within moments, engines 2, 1, and 3 also failed, leaving the massive jet gliding without power. The pilots calculated that with an altitude of 37,000 feet and a glide ratio of 15:1, they could remain airborne for approximately 23 minutes, covering about 91 miles.

Captain Eric Moody declared an emergency to Jakarta Air Traffic Control (ATC). However, a miscommunication ensued: ATC mistakenly believed only one engine had failed. It was a nearby Garuda Indonesia flight that relayed the full gravity of the situation to ATC. Although the crew “squawked” the emergency transponder code 7700, Jakarta ATC was unable to locate the Boeing 747 on radar.

Learn about the transponder codes: How Pilots Use Transponder Codes to Signal Hijackings and Other Crises?

The situation grew direr. To safely glide to Jakarta, the crew needed to clear mountains on Java’s southern coast by maintaining an altitude above 11,000 feet. Otherwise, they would have to ditch in the Indian Ocean. Attempts to restart the engines at the recommended altitude failed, intensifying the crew’s predicament.

The Calm Amid Chaos

Captain Moody addressed the 248 passengers with what has since been described as quintessential British composure. His announcement, as reported by the Daily Mail, was both alarming and reassuring:

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get it under control. I trust you are not in too much distress.”

As the aircraft descended and cabin pressure dropped, oxygen masks deployed. In the cockpit, Senior First Officer Roger Greaves encountered a problem with his oxygen mask. The tube supplying oxygen had detached, forcing Captain Moody to make a rapid descent to breathable altitudes.

A Miraculous Engine Restart

Approaching the critical decision point for ditching or attempting a landing, the crew made another effort to restart the engines. This time, engine number 4 roared back to life. Its thrust enabled the pilots to stabilize the descent. Shortly after, engines 3, 1, and 2 followed suit, allowing the aircraft to regain altitude.

However, engine number 2 faltered and had to be shut down again as the crew prepared for the final approach into Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP). Adding to the challenge, the windshield appeared sandblasted, rendering it almost completely opaque. The crew decided on an instrument-only landing, relying on runway lights barely visible through a small clear section of the windshield. The First Officer provided altitude cues using distance-measuring equipment, guiding Captain Moody through the approach.

Despite the odds, the aircraft touched down safely. Yet another challenge awaited on the ground—taxiing was near impossible due to the glare from airfield lights, compounded by malfunctioning aircraft lights.

Investigating the Mystery

Initially, the crew had no clear understanding of what caused the engines to fail and the windshield to become opaque. An investigation later revealed the aircraft had flown through a volcanic ash cloud produced by the eruption of Mount Galunggung in Java.

The 747’s weather radar, designed to detect moisture, failed to register the dry ash cloud. The abrasive ash particles scoured the windshield and landing lights while simultaneously clogging the engines. As the engines ingested the ash, it melted due to high temperatures and adhered to the internal components. When the engines were shut down, they cooled, solidifying the ash deposits. During the aircraft’s descent, the cooler air allowed the hardened ash to dislodge, enabling the engines to restart.

The Aftermath

The heroic actions of Flight 9’s crew did not go unrecognized. Captain Moody and his team received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. The event also earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest glide by a non-purpose-built aircraft. This record, however, was later surpassed by Air Canada Flight 143 in 1983 and Air Transat Flight 236 in 2001. – Stories to be published on our website soon 😉

The stricken Boeing 747, after undergoing significant repairs and engine replacements, returned to service with British Airways. It remained operational until 2001 before transitioning to European Aviation Air Charter. After 25 years of service, the aircraft was retired and scrapped in 2004.

A Wake-Up Call for Aviation

The Flight 9 incident underscored the dangers volcanic ash poses to aviation. Awareness of these hazards increased significantly following the incident. One notable example occurred in 2010 when Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, releasing a massive ash cloud over Northern Europe. This led to the closure of airspace in 20 countries, the cancellation of nearly 100,000 flights, and millions of stranded passengers.

Today, aviation authorities and airlines employ advanced monitoring systems and proactive measures to prevent encounters with volcanic ash. The lessons learned from British Airways Flight 9 continue to inform safety protocols, ensuring such near-catastrophes remain a rarity.

• Featured image by Steve Fitzgerald

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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