For over 30 years in its time, Concorde as a symbol of pride for the British and French, a centerpiece for celebration of a unity of both countries that made supersonic air travel a reality. It gained popularity from all over the world, and for those who are living near the airports in Paris and London were always so fond about Concorde whenever it departs and arrives from their homebases. And with only a handful of aircraft in service, public concern over the environment and noise faded since the end of the 1970s.
But much like its development, Concorde's final years would prove difficult. Concorde's impeccable safety record that had once claimed "the safest aircraft in the world" would eventually be tarnished, along its reputation.
And on July 25, 2000 at 4:44PM Paris local time...it all happened.
Air France Flight 4590, operated with the Concorde, on fire during take-off at Charles de Gaulle International Airport. The image was taken by a passenger in an aircraft on a nearby taxiway.
This image along with a video of the aircraft shortly after it took-off are the only visual recordings of the aircraft on fire.
On 25th of July 2000, Air France Flight 4590, operated by Concorde registration F-BTSC, crashed in Gonesse, France, after departing from Charles de Gaulle Airport en-route to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, killing all 100 passengers and nine crew members on board as well as four people on the ground. It was the only fatal accident involving Concorde. This crash also damaged Concorde's reputation and caused both British Airways and Air France to temporarily ground their fleet of Concordes until modifications that involved strengthening the affected areas of the aircraft are implemented. Safety improvements were made in the wake of the crash, including more secure electrical controls, Kevlar lining on the fuel tanks and specially developed burst-resistant tyres.
The first flight with the safety modifications departed from London Heathrow on 17th of July 2001, piloted by BA Chief Concorde Pilot: Captain Mike Bannister. During the 3-hour 20-minute flight over the mid-Atlantic towards Iceland, Bannister attained Mach 2.02 and 60,000 ft (18,000 m) before returning to RAF Brize Norton. The test flight, intended to resemble the London–New York route, was declared a success and was watched on live TV, and by crowds on the ground at both locations.
The first flight with passengers took place on 11th of September 2001, landing shortly before the World Trade Center attacks in the United States. This was not a commercial flight: all the passengers were British Airways employees.
Shortly after the 9/11 Attacks occurred, the demand for global air travel suddenly plummeted, and so as for the Concorde flights. Normal commercial operations only resumed on the 7th of November 2001, 2 months after 9/11. Flights that were resumed by British Airways and Air France Concordes with services to New York's JFK International Airport. But with the "normal" is seemingly no longer than it used to be prior to 9/11 and the Air France flight 4590 crash. The final straw of Concorde's final downfall...is maintenance costs. The challenges of maintaining such complex and aging planes like Concorde had proven even difficult than ever, leading to a decision to cease the maintenance support. And soon, Concorde's days are being numbered.
Comments
Post a Comment