On just three engines

Exercise 9.1 Read and translate the text.

A Boeing 747 had to shut down one of its four engines just after taking off from Los Angeles on a flight bound for Heathrow airport. The aircraft subsequently continued its flight to London. It eventually needed to make an emergency landing in Manchester, due to concerns over low fuel levels. Some aviation safety experts have questioned the decision of the pilots to continue with the flight rather than returning to Los Angeles. The airline issued a statement saying that safety was not compromised at any time, and that the aircraft was able to operate on its three remaining engines with no risk to passengers.

Air traffic controllers and local residents saw sparks coming from the engine and passengers reported hearing a loud bang just after take-off. The aircraft climbed to 5,000 ft and circled for some time while the pilots decided what to do next. They informed passengers of the engine failure and contacted their company offices to discuss the situation. They then took the decision to continue the flight.

Critics have claimed that the pilots might have been under commercial pressure to take this decision, as a return to Los Angeles airport would have left the airline with an expensive bill for compensating the 351 passengers on board. Under new European regulations, this bill could have been as high as $200,000. The airline, however, denies that this was a factor in the decision taken to fly on across the Atlantic.

Controllers at Los Angeles airport were apparently surprised at the pilots’ decision to carry on. They had alerted fire services in the expectation that the aircraft would return. Comments from safety experts have varied. Some claim that it is not a problem to lose one engine on a four-engine aircraft. They point out that there are lots of twin-engine aircraft crossing the Atlantic. Others are convinced that the new European regulations will inevitably increase the pressure on pilots in such situations. The debate is likely to continue.