Originally Posted by Regularguy

I flew the "666" Devils 767-300 many a time (ETOPS and all) and while we joked about it I never had one problem or major write-up that I can remember.

I think some things become "urban myths." Or is that some people?

Here's the NTSB Synopsis of the NRT 747 flame out:

UNITED FLT 97 EXPERIENCED INDICATIONS OF UNEVEN FUEL FLOW FROM MAIN TANKS 2 AND 3 AT FL360 BEGINNING ABOUT 4- HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE ON AN 11- HOUR TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHT. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD BEEN SET UP FOR ALL ENGINE FEED FROM THE NOS 2 AND 3 TANKS. ALTHOUGH IT WAS LATER ESTABLISHED THAT THE NUMBER 2 CROSSFEED VALVE FAILED IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE S/O INFORMED THE CAPT THAT THE INTRANSIT LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VALVE SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO THE CLOSED POSITION - INDICATING NORMAL CROSSFEED VALVE OPERATION. FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM OF FAULTY FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS. FUEL MONITORING INDICATED INSUFFICIENT FUEL FLOW FROM NO 2 TANK WHEN CROSSFEEDING. ENGS 1, 3, AND 4 FLAMED OUT WHEN FUEL WAS EXPENDED FROM ALL TANKS EXCEPT NO 2. EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS MADE TO DESTINATION TOKYO-NARITA AIRPORT. CREW REPORTED THEY USED FLAPS-20, BUT DFDR SHOWED FLAPS-1 WAS USED FOR LANDING. 3 TIRES BLEW ON LANDING. ALL 3 FLIGHTCREW QUALIFIED IN THE B-747 IN THE 13-MONTHS BEFORE THE INCIDENT.

The Captain was 57 years old and just out of training with a total of 194 hours in 747 left seat. According to NTSB report.

And flaps 1 landing is leading edge flaps only, no trailing if I remember correctly. They probably selected flaps-20 but on one engine...

Originally Posted by Dave Fitzgerald

Good find, thanks, I was too lazy to look for this.

666UA is actually a pretty good plane. It was just in the wrong place and time when the same Capt. flamed out both engines in flight, TWICE on different flights. Yup, same plane....twice. In this case, urban legend is true.

Originally Posted by Airhoss

I've flown 666UA several times. She's never given me the first hint of trouble. Except for the "voices".

Originally Posted by Dave Fitzgerald

Balance fuel yes, but does it actually transfer fuel tank to tank?

I know the C-141 and C-5, and most of the tankers can transfer fuel.

Originally Posted by blockplus

Yes it does. It turns on the jettison pumps and opens the fueling valve in the other wing. The logic is supposed to prevent a bad situation. It also works on the ground.

Originally Posted by BigDukeSix

Word DENTK is that Kirby loves airbus narrowbody. Look for a significant order for A321neo in place of the deferred 737's.

Originally Posted by Regularguy

Personally what I hear is a repeat of the old "capacity restraint" approach to management of the airlines.

Remember their, management's, goal is far different than that of the people who staff the airline's daily operation.

I suspect no new orders until 2017 and the new President is figured out. Too many market questions that need to be answered.

Which means bid what you are willing to fly for a few years or more.