Danger in the Sky: Underfueled Planes
Investigation Reveals Pilots Are Requesting More Emergency Landings Because of Low Fuel [...]
In April, a pilot on a commercial plane entering New York airspace contacted air traffic control to say that his aircraft was running low on fuel.
The recorded conversation between the pilot and air traffic controllers offered a chilling glimpse into the potential dangers in commercial air travel.
Pilot: "We are minimum fuel, sir."
Air traffic controller: "You're declaring an emergency at this time. The time is now 22:57. I need the souls on board and fuel in pounds when you arrive."
Pilot: "Copy that. One hundred fifty-seven souls on board. We have exactly 38 minutes of fuel remaining."
Controllers gave the plane priority landing and it safely touched down with just minutes of fuel remaining.
[BTW: The End of Oil is Upon Us. We Must Move On - Quickly.
Brazil discovers huge new oil reserves: If one of the deposits turns out to be as vast as it appears, Brazil will be in the same league "as the Arab countries, Venezuela and others," the senior minister in charge of the cabinet, Dilma Rousseff, said.]
