| Date: | 10-OCT-2020 |
| Time: | 09:21 |
| Type: | Boeing 777-F |
| Owner/operator: | Lufthansa Cargo |
| Registration: | D-ALFG |
| C/n / msn: | 66090/1596 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Serious incident |
| Location: | near Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) - Germany |
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Frankfurt International Airport (FRA/EDDF) |
| Destination airport: | Shanghai-Pudong International Airport (PVG/ZSPD) |
| Investigating agency: | BFU Germany |
The Lufthansa Boeing 777-200 / 200ER features seats in a 0 cabin configuration. This is pretty standard for these aircraft. Legroom-wise, though of course what that means for you depends on how tall you are! Lufthansa Cargo PMDG MD-11F PMDG B777F Captain Sim B777F Aero Logic PMDG Boeing 777F Eurowings Aerosoft Airbus A319/320 Wilco Airbus Vol. 2 Majestic Dash8-Q400 PMDG B737 Swiss Aerosoft Airbus A320/321 PMDG B777 Austrian Aerosoft Airbus A319/320/321 AS Airbus UHD Project WOW Air Aerosoft Airbus A320/321 Custom Aerosoft A320-Family Aerosoft.
Lufthansa Cargo flight LH8402, a Boeing 777-F, returned to land at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), Germany after the cockpit crew noticed unreliable airspeed indicator readings.
Prior to the departure on October 10, 2020, various scheduled maintenance tasks had been performed on the aircraft. One work package included the flushing of the connection lines of the static system
For the flight from Frankfurt to Shanghai, China, there were 4 pilots on board. The co-pilot was Pilot Flying, while the commander assumed the role of Pilot Monitoring. The airplane took off from runway 25C at 09:21 local time with an indicated speed of 204 kt and a ground speed of 191 kt.
Approximately 15 seconds later, a windshear warning was recorded on the FDR and CVR. The indicated speed at this time was 176 kt and the ground speed was 199 kt. The copilot then requested, 'Max Thrust.' This was acknowledged by the commander. He reported the windshear warning to ATC and added: '[...] we now have five-zero knots tailwind [...]'. The bank slowly reduced from 11° to 7°. After another 10 seconds or so, the commander asked the copilot to increase the bank angle.
The copilot replied that she did not want to go below the indicated speed. The indicated speed at this time was 178 kt. The commander noted that the tailwind had increased to 80 kt.
Both expressed surprise that it was not possible to reach the required speed at full thrust, even though the longitudinal inclination was already unusually low. After the indicated tailwind had increased to 100 kt, the commander concluded, '[...] well, that seems very strange to me, I would say that it's unreliable airspeed.'
As a result, the commander and the copilot agreed to switch their roles as pilot monitoring and pilot flying, and the commander took over the controls.
Shortly thereafter, the copilot noted that the Integrated Standby Flight Display indicated a speed of 300 kt. A ground speed of 300 kt was also recorded on the FDR at this time.
After the crew unanimously concluded that the airspeeds shown on the two primary flight displays must be unreliable values, the commander decided to declare an emergency at 09:23 and to stabilize the aircraft's attitude by making longitudinal pitch angle changes.
At this time, the aircraft was approximately 8 NM southwest of the airport at an altitude of approximately 6,000 ft.
There was coordination between the crew and controllers as the flight progressed. The course took the aircraft back to Frankfurt Airport and from there in a northeasterly direction over the VOR Metro for about 50 NM. At 09:40, in consultation with ATC, the crew began dumping fuel to reduce the mass of the aircraft to the maximum allowable landing mass. Approximately 5 minutes later, the aircraft turned to a heading of approximately 250° and maintained this heading for 55 NM. At 10:02, the aircraft turned to approximately 210°. Fuel dumping was completed at 10:11. The aircraft was then guided by ATC to the ILS approach to runway 07C at Frankfurt Airport. It touched down on the runway at 10:23 and then taxied to a parking position accompanied by the airport fire department.
After landing, it was found that the sensors of the left and right static systems were not connected.
During maintenance before the incident flight the pneumatic lines of the static system were disconnected and flushed with dry air. The lines were then supposed to be reconnected to the system.
To ensure proper functioning of the pitot-static system, a leak test and a system test were then scheduled. This work was signed off the corresponding work cards as having been carried out without any problems.
The investigation is ongoing.
BFU20-0887-5X
Preliminary report (in German): https://www.bfu-web.de/DE/Publikationen/Bulletins/2020/Bulletin2020-10.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
FDR parameters (BFU)
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Dec-2020 16:17 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 23-Dec-2020 18:04 | harro | Updated [Aircraft type, Total occupants, Location, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Dec-2020 19:55 | harro | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Dec-2020 20:14 | harro | Updated [Photo] |
Lufthansa First Class is the world's best way to fly as far as I'm concerned. I've flown the product on every single type of long-haul aircraft Lufthansa operates and I've easily flown LH F over 50 times (if not more). Lufthansa used to feature First Class on all of their long-haul aircraft, but the airline removed F seats from half of their long-haul fleet and plans to keep First Class on the other half.
Lufthansa currently operates the following long-haul aircraft:
- Airbus A330-300
- select (?) aircraft feature First Class
- Airbus A340-300
- no First Class
- Airbus A340-600
- all feature First Class
- Airbus A350-900
- no First Class
- Airbus A380-800
- all feature First Class
- Boeing 747-400
- no First Class
- Boeing 747-8
- all feature First Class
The airline is expected to take delivery of the Boeing 777-9 to replace the Boeing 747-400, and it still isn't clear if First Class will be featured on the 777-9 – there is a 50/50 chance. Lufthansa's current long-haul fleet with First Class includes the A346, A388, and B748; there are reports that some A333s still have First Class – while other reports claim that all A333s do not feature the product anymore.
It is incredible to think that all of these aircraft used to have First Class seats. Lufthansa's reason to eliminate First Class from select aircraft was: 1) to make room for Premium Economy and 2) they claim First Class isn't that popular anymore and it wasn't ideal to let the seats fly empty.
Lufthansa has published the following schedule of which routes will feature First Class. Keep in mind that some routes do not operate in the winter and that there may be reduced F service during this time. Lufthansa also frequently changes their mind, therefore routes such as Frankfurt – Detroit/Dammam/Kuwait/Bangkok and Munich – Chicago/Vancouver/Mexico City/Cape Town could be reduced to just Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
For 2019, these routes are currently scheduled to feature Lufthansa First Class:
Frankfurt
- Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, Newark, San Francisco, Washington
- Bogota, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo
- Johannesburg
- Dammam, Kuwait
- Bangalore, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo Haneda
Munich
- Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver
- Cape Town
- Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo Haneda
Lufthansa First Class Airbus A330-300
If you are wanting to redeem miles to/from North America, the 'easiest' routes will be:
- Frankfurt: Boston, Detroit, Mexico City, New York, Newark, Washington
- Munich: Boston, Chicago, Mexico City, New York, Vancouver
Lufthansa First Class is available at most 14 days prior to departure when redeeming Star Alliance miles. If you are a member of Miles & More, you can redeem whenever you'd like – subject to availability. With LH F featured in only about half of Lufthansa's long-haul fleet, it is increasingly harder to book the product using miles. However, it is still possible and the key is flexibility in travel plans.
.jpg "Lufthansa b777x")
BFU20-0887-5X
Preliminary report (in German): https://www.bfu-web.de/DE/Publikationen/Bulletins/2020/Bulletin2020-10.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
FDR parameters (BFU)
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Dec-2020 16:17 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 23-Dec-2020 18:04 | harro | Updated [Aircraft type, Total occupants, Location, Nature, Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Dec-2020 19:55 | harro | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Dec-2020 20:14 | harro | Updated [Photo] |
Lufthansa First Class is the world's best way to fly as far as I'm concerned. I've flown the product on every single type of long-haul aircraft Lufthansa operates and I've easily flown LH F over 50 times (if not more). Lufthansa used to feature First Class on all of their long-haul aircraft, but the airline removed F seats from half of their long-haul fleet and plans to keep First Class on the other half.
Lufthansa currently operates the following long-haul aircraft:
- Airbus A330-300
- select (?) aircraft feature First Class
- Airbus A340-300
- no First Class
- Airbus A340-600
- all feature First Class
- Airbus A350-900
- no First Class
- Airbus A380-800
- all feature First Class
- Boeing 747-400
- no First Class
- Boeing 747-8
- all feature First Class
The airline is expected to take delivery of the Boeing 777-9 to replace the Boeing 747-400, and it still isn't clear if First Class will be featured on the 777-9 – there is a 50/50 chance. Lufthansa's current long-haul fleet with First Class includes the A346, A388, and B748; there are reports that some A333s still have First Class – while other reports claim that all A333s do not feature the product anymore.
It is incredible to think that all of these aircraft used to have First Class seats. Lufthansa's reason to eliminate First Class from select aircraft was: 1) to make room for Premium Economy and 2) they claim First Class isn't that popular anymore and it wasn't ideal to let the seats fly empty.
Lufthansa has published the following schedule of which routes will feature First Class. Keep in mind that some routes do not operate in the winter and that there may be reduced F service during this time. Lufthansa also frequently changes their mind, therefore routes such as Frankfurt – Detroit/Dammam/Kuwait/Bangkok and Munich – Chicago/Vancouver/Mexico City/Cape Town could be reduced to just Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
For 2019, these routes are currently scheduled to feature Lufthansa First Class:
Frankfurt
- Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, Newark, San Francisco, Washington
- Bogota, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo
- Johannesburg
- Dammam, Kuwait
- Bangalore, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo Haneda
Munich
- Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver
- Cape Town
- Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo Haneda
Lufthansa First Class Airbus A330-300
If you are wanting to redeem miles to/from North America, the 'easiest' routes will be:
- Frankfurt: Boston, Detroit, Mexico City, New York, Newark, Washington
- Munich: Boston, Chicago, Mexico City, New York, Vancouver
Lufthansa First Class is available at most 14 days prior to departure when redeeming Star Alliance miles. If you are a member of Miles & More, you can redeem whenever you'd like – subject to availability. With LH F featured in only about half of Lufthansa's long-haul fleet, it is increasingly harder to book the product using miles. However, it is still possible and the key is flexibility in travel plans.
Boeing 777 9
How many times have you flown LH F? Enough to remember that Elderflower used to be integrated into every dish? 😉
