80ktsClamp

Nope, but the skid marks from the wheels tell the tale.

Justdoinmyjob

Let's not forget that they were originally cleared for 27L, which they probably had set up, got recleared for 27R, probably close in and didn't have set up. Of course, the localizer and glideslope most likely weren't even. Kind of hard to autoland without an ILS signal.

Now, why would someone accept a close in runway change......?

notadog

So let me see if I understand this. An air carrier crew landed on a taxiway in perfect VFR weather conditions, in an airplane with Autoland capability at an airport they are very familiar with.

But at least it was a good landing? We should be impressed with the skill demonstrated by landing on a taxiway instead of a 10,000 foot long runway?

You cannot be serious.

AirbusA320

Guys here talk of waiting for all the facts to come in. Well the main fact is they landed on a taxiway and never declared an emergency (as far as I know). This is going to be a slam-dunk FAA enforcement action on those two pilots. I'm not sure if DAL well keep them. I'm sure they never wanted this to happen but things happen. Remember the burned out landing gear light that lead to the L-1011 crash?

JoeMerchant

1. Nobody got killed because nobody was taxing out...Had I or anyone else been taxing out, we would have been killed.

2. I'm not impressed when someone lands less than a foot off the center line of a taxiway......They were several hundred feet off the centerline of the runway they were aiming for.....I can't believe you are defending this by how far off the taxiway centerline they were...

Carl Spackler

To the moderators:

If the previous posts aren't enough, the above post shows how badly this thread has degenerated. I suggest we close it due to an utter lack of relevance by most of the posters.

Carl

JoeMerchant

You just want it closed because it makes Delta look bad....

Carl Spackler

Yet another example of a post that bears no relevance to the topic. Mods...can we at least move this to a "clucking hens" forum?

Carl

acl65pilot

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating
the landing of a Delta B-767 on an active taxiway at Atlanta
Hartsfield International Airport (ATL).


According to preliminary information received from several
sources, on Monday, October 19, 2009, at 65 a.m. EDT, a
Boeing B767-332ER (N185DN) operating as Delta Air Lines
flight 60 from Rio de Janeiro to Atlanta landed on taxiway M
at ATL after being cleared to land on runway 27R. No
injuries to any of the 182 passengers or 11 crewmembers were
reported.


A check airman was on the flight deck along with the captain
and first officer. During cruise flight, the check airman
became ill and was relocated to the cabin for the remainder
of the flight. A medical emergency was declared and the
company was notified by the crew. A determination was made
to land at the scheduled destination of ATL.


The flight was cleared to land on runway 27R but instead
landed on taxiway M, which is situated immediately to the
north and parallel to runway 27R. The runway lights for 27R
were illuminated; the localizer and approach lights for 27R
were not turned on. Taxiway M was active but was clear of
aircraft and ground vehicles at the time the aircraft
landed. The wind was calm with 10 miles visibility.
Night/dark conditions prevailed; twilight conditions began
at about 7:20 a.m. EDT and the official sunrise was at 7:46
a.m. EDT.


A team of four from the NTSB, led by David Helson, is
investigating the incident.

The issue of runway safety has been on the NTSB's Most
Wanted List of Safety Improvements since its inception in
1990. Information on the NTSB's work on runway safety is
available at NTSB - Most Wanted


##


NTSB Media Contact: Peter Knudson

[email protected]

(202) 314-6100

Lab Rat

There is very much off topic, but relevant nonetheless due in part to threads such as this.

How many of you have visited other non-aviation message boards? The ones I have seen are roughly 90% seriousness, 5% sarcasm, and 5% immaturity. Unfortunately, most aviation message boards (and APC is getting closer, no offense intended) are about 95% immature and 5% serious. It has literally gotten to the point where the only reason to visit these boards is for nothing more than a laugh.

Think about it. How many CPA message boards do you see containing comments such as "my adding machine is bigger than your adding machine", or "back in the day we had Lotus 1-2-3. These young punks nowadays have Excel." Or how many doctor websites do you see with comments such as "well, I'm a better doctor with less experience because I had advanced anatomical systems taught to me at Harvard".

Look at the majority of these threads and posts. I don't know who outside of aviation visits these message boards, but it is almost embarrassing to wonder what most would think.