[REAL ATC] HYDRAULIC LOSS inbound JFK

Summary

The transcript details a tense emergency situation where an American Airlines flight 9253 declares an emergency due to a loss of center hydraulic fluid. With 231 passengers on board and approximately 4 hours of fuel, the flight requests expedited handling to Kennedy Airport. The crew communicates with air traffic control about their situation, conservation efforts, and eventual landing preparations, including coordinating with emergency services for a potential runway closure and towing of the aircraft post-landing.

Takeaways

• 🛫 The aircraft, identified as American 9253, declares an emergency due to loss of center hydraulic fluid.
• 🚨 The crew requests expedited handling into Kennedy airport and mentions the need for equipment to be standing by for the emergency.
• ⏱ They have approximately 4 hours of fuel on board, with 39,000 pounds of fuel initially and 38,500 pounds later in the conversation.
• 👥 The total number of souls on board is initially reported as 2319 but corrected to 231.
• 📍 The aircraft is directed to Kennedy airport and given clearance to maintain an altitude of 11,000 feet.
• 🔄 The crew is taking steps to conserve the remaining hydraulic fluid, indicating a serious issue with the aircraft's systems.
• 🛬 The aircraft is given clearance to land on Runway 22 left, with the crew confirming the request for this specific runway.
• 🚫 The airport is informed that the left side of the runway will be temporarily closed for inspection due to the emergency landing.
• 🚁 Emergency vehicles are confirmed to be on standby, ready to assist with the landing and potential post-landing issues.
• 🛑 The aircraft is expected to stop on the runway, with plans for the aircraft to be pinned and towed off due to the hydraulic issue.
• 🔄 There is a mention of the taxiways being poor, suggesting that the aircraft may have difficulty taxiing after landing.

Q & A

What is the emergency situation described in the transcript?

The aircraft is losing hydraulic fluid from its center system and has declared an emergency, requesting expedited handling.

What is the flight number of the aircraft experiencing the emergency?

The flight number is American 9253.

What is the estimated fuel remaining on board the aircraft?

There is approximately 4 hours of fuel remaining on board, with 39,000 pounds of fuel initially on board.

How many souls are on board the aircraft?

There are 231 souls on board, as mentioned in the transcript.

What is the aircraft's request regarding the runway?

The aircraft requests to land on Runway 22 left due to the emergency.

What altitude is the aircraft maintaining initially?

The aircraft is initially maintaining an altitude of 11,000 feet.

What steps are being taken to conserve the remaining hydraulic fluid?

The crew is taking unspecified steps to try to conserve the remaining hydraulic fluid, but the specific actions are not detailed in the transcript.

What is the estimated landing weight of the aircraft in pounds?

The estimated landing weight is approximately 35,000 pounds.

What is the condition of the runway after the emergency landing?

The transcript mentions that the runway will be temporarily closed for inspection after the emergency landing.

What is the plan for the aircraft after landing?

The plan is to have the aircraft pinned and towed off the runway due to the hydraulic issue.

What is the final action taken by the air traffic control regarding the runway?

The air traffic control confirms that Runway 22 left will be closed after the emergency landing.