I had the same experience. I was on a military charter coming back from deployment from Middle East to Baltimore. Plane began to have rudder mechanical issues and they couldn't turn the plane right or left. So they had to land somewhere with a straight shot in. Gander was the closest airport that had a straight shot in to land from the Atlantic approach. When we landed, we were told you cannot get your bags because they were locked in the cargo hold with some other military equipement. Keep in mind we were coming from a hot Desert and into Gander which was February. Yes it was winter. Some of my fellow airman actually had shorts on the plane. After 12 hours waiting in the small Gander Airport we were released to go out in the community because the plane was going to take a week to fix. Almost immediately after our release, the Gander community was at the airport ready to help us with cloths and food. We didn't have candian money but every business was willing to take American dollars. Keep in mind this was shortly after 9/11 so currency was different back then. It was truely a heart warming experience on what that community did for us. When I talked to a local she told me her community was use to what happened to us and that once the community gets word of a plane in trouble they respond. I would have never thought that but the people of Gander are truly incredible. That is my story. Gander will always have a place in my heart.
I had the privilege of editing a book written by one of the people in charge that day. This town was prepared. Please read the history of Gander before 9/11. This was an airbase for a long time. There had been crashes where locals had to go and help. They knew how strategically they were placed regarding geography, and they had people that planned ahead.
Strange, I wouldn't expect any commercial flight having to dump fuel coming from Europe when passing around Newfoundland which is maybe 2 hours of flight to JFK or any other U.S. east coast airport. Which is about more than 3/4 of their total flight time, so that they would be far under their maximum landing weight at that time.
@@easttexasaviation Don't think so. The MLW is pretty high in most circonstances and airliners burn a good deal during take-off and climb. Plus any routes from Europe to the U.S. west coast doesn' go anywhere near Newfoundland. Only flights to east coast eventually central US would route there. Granted you would have flight going further south than just JFK but still.
He stated at first noone knew exactly where they would be landing or how from their destination they may be. He said they were unsure if they Would have to dump fuel or not.
I had the same experience. I was on a military charter coming back from deployment from Middle East to Baltimore. Plane began to have rudder mechanical issues and they couldn't turn the plane right or left. So they had to land somewhere with a straight shot in. Gander was the closest airport that had a straight shot in to land from the Atlantic approach. When we landed, we were told you cannot get your bags because they were locked in the cargo hold with some other military equipement. Keep in mind we were coming from a hot Desert and into Gander which was February. Yes it was winter. Some of my fellow airman actually had shorts on the plane. After 12 hours waiting in the small Gander Airport we were released to go out in the community because the plane was going to take a week to fix. Almost immediately after our release, the Gander community was at the airport ready to help us with cloths and food. We didn't have candian money but every business was willing to take American dollars. Keep in mind this was shortly after 9/11 so currency was different back then. It was truely a heart warming experience on what that community did for us. When I talked to a local she told me her community was use to what happened to us and that once the community gets word of a plane in trouble they respond. I would have never thought that but the people of Gander are truly incredible. That is my story. Gander will always have a place in my heart.
What a cool story. Thanks for sharing that memory!
Great presentation Bruce. You came a long way from Cornwall and Hay River. Glad you were where you needed to be on that day.
My husband was working ATC that day. Moncton Center
What a difficult job, especially that day.
So professional, that they already had their mindset prepared for an event. They just did not know how many they were really going to get. Well done!
I had the privilege of editing a book written by one of the people in charge that day. This town was prepared. Please read the history of Gander before 9/11. This was an airbase for a long time. There had been crashes where locals had to go and help. They knew how strategically they were placed regarding geography, and they had people that planned ahead.
Thanks so much for this story. On a side note have you ever been told you look like Cliff from the TV show Cheers?
UNCANNY! VOICE INCLUDED!
What’s the name of the documentary? I can’t find it. I seen it before about this whole gander business.
Is this different from Cleared For Chaos?
Strange, I wouldn't expect any commercial flight having to dump fuel coming from Europe when passing around Newfoundland which is maybe 2 hours of flight to JFK or any other U.S. east coast airport. Which is about more than 3/4 of their total flight time, so that they would be far under their maximum landing weight at that time.
At that time, they were also unaware if there were any more terrorists aboard other planes.
@@easttexasaviation Don't think so. The MLW is pretty high in most circonstances and airliners burn a good deal during take-off and climb. Plus any routes from Europe to the U.S. west coast doesn' go anywhere near Newfoundland. Only flights to east coast eventually central US would route there. Granted you would have flight going further south than just JFK but still.
@@easttexasaviation Thanks Captain Obvious. Are you a dispatcher maybe ?
He stated at first noone knew exactly where they would be landing or how from their destination they may be. He said they were unsure if they Would have to dump fuel or not.
Dumping fuel?
So they’re not overweight for landing…