Cathay Pacific Flight 780: When Air Travel Became a Thrill Ride
In the world of aviation, there are ordinary flights, and then there are flights that redefine your understanding of what it means to travel. Cathay Pacific Flight 780, a journey from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Hong Kong, was one such adventure that turned your everyday flight into a roller coaster of excitement (and terror).
Picture this: 309 passengers and a crew of 13 eagerly boarded an Airbus A330–300 on April 13, 2010, blissfully unaware that they were about to become participants in an unintentional adrenaline-pumping escapade. As the flight approached Hong Kong, the crew faced an engine problem that would rival any action movie climax.
The trouble began when the crew tried to adjust the thrust output of the engines, only to discover that the engines had a mind of their own. It was as if the engines were in the middle of a rebellious teenage phase, refusing to cooperate with their human counterparts. The aircraft touched down at a speed that would have put a Formula 1 car to shame, causing minor damage and leaving passengers clinging to their armrests for dear life.
But what caused this mid-air drama? It turns out, the culprit was the fuel loaded in Surabaya, which decided to play a mischievous trick on both engines. Slowly but surely, this fuel contamination led to the gradual deterioration of the aircraft’s powerhouses.
Now, let’s give credit where it’s due. The flight’s heroic Australian pilots, Captain Malcolm Waters and First Officer David Hayhoe, deserve a standing ovation. Despite facing an extraordinary challenge, these modern-day mavericks safely landed the aircraft. They can proudly wear their “Sully and Skiles of the Skies” badges, reminiscent of the famed duo who landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.
In recognition of their extraordinary heroism and airmanship, the two Flight 780 pilots were awarded the Polaris Award by the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. And here we were, thinking that our jobs required some guts.
Captain Waters, a spry 35-year-old, had been with Cathay Pacific for a whopping 12 years, while First Officer Hayhoe, aged 37, was a newcomer with a mere 3 years under his belt but boasted an impressive 11-year stint with the Royal Australian Air Force. Talk about a power duo!
As Flight 780 departed from Juanda International Airport in Indonesia, things took an unexpected turn. During the climb, both engines decided to have a little fluctuation party with engine pressure ratios. Engine №2 was the life of the party, wobbling like a tipsy guest at a wedding reception. Despite this, the crew decided to carry on, convinced that the flight was safe.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one flight, the “ENG 2 CTL SYS FAULT” message decided to make an encore appearance. The crew, being the brave souls they were, continued the journey, believing it was smooth sailing from there.
Fast forward a couple of hours, and we’ve got ourselves a real blockbuster. Just as the aircraft was descending toward Hong Kong, the ECAM displayed “ENG 1 CTL SYS FAULT” and “ENG 2 STALL” messages. It was like the aircraft had turned into a computer with too many tabs open, struggling to keep up. The crew declared a “pan-pan” with Hong Kong air traffic control, politely requesting the shortest possible route to the airport. Because when life throws curveballs, you make a graceful request for a shortcut.
But wait, there’s more! A few minutes later, the aircraft decided to double down on drama with an “ENG 1 STALL” message. The crew declared a “mayday,” which is like saying, “We’re having a bit of a moment up here.” Captain Waters tested the engines, and it was clear that №1 engine was the one taking its job very seriously, while №2 engine was on an extended coffee break.
As the flight approached Hong Kong, the crew realized that the engines had no intention of slowing down. Landing at a speed that would make a Formula 1 driver envious, the aircraft touched down, bounced, and briefly became airborne again before slamming back down like a toddler throwing a tantrum. The left engine decided to give the runway a friendly scrape, just to say hello.
To add to the excitement, only one engine’s thrust reverser decided to cooperate, and the rest of the braking had to be done manually. Smoke and flames joined the party, making it a real hot landing.
In the end, 57 passengers sustained injuries during the slide evacuation, and five of the aircraft’s main wheel tires went flat, as if they too had had enough of this wild ride.
Cathay Pacific Flight 780, you may not have been your average flight, but you sure gave everyone on board a story to tell for generations. It’s not every day you get to experience the thrill of a lifetime, 30,000 feet in the air.
