“Our flaps are frozen”. British Airways A320 declared PAN-PAN after departure from Krakow. Real ATC

[@YouCanSeeATC]

There are a couple of mistakes in the video. I didn’t got it due to accent. 01:10 Locked flaps not lost flaps. 02:25 Locked flaps not lost flaps. Thank you guys for your corrections.

[@cjmillsnun]

Calm, clear comms by all. Pilots knew what they wanted, 6000 ft and a hold to run through checklists. Pan-pan correct choice for emergency declaration, controller offered alternative airport with landing distance available and metar for both. A pretty much textbook example of how to deal with an emergency.

[@NicolaW72]

Indeed.

[@BillySugger1965]

Agreed. And handled in a highly competent and professional manner by ATC too. Textbook all round, great teamwork between crew and ATC and a calm, controlled resolution. Plenty of useful information given, only criticism is perhaps a little too much info from ATC while the crew were busy. But being more helpful is definitely preferable to being not helpful enough.

[@davidbeckenbaugh9598]

Speaking as a non-pilot, I would be so glad to have that ground controller helping me, giving me METAR and alternatives. I have heard a few on KZbin that I would request be replaced with someone who could help me if I was in an 'unusual' situation. Guess most everyone is feeling the same way, judging by the comments here....

[@davidf6326]

Most impressive was how they sprang into action and quickly built some additional runway at Katowice, just in case. Above and beyond, if you ask me. 😁

[@mikhailswartz]

@@davidf6326 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@Coldinwis]

Most helpful ATC ever! Everyone is so polite, love it!!!!

[@mmichaeldonavon]

Just like at Newark or JFK, right?

[@PilotElias]

@@mmichaeldonavon ATC in the US is a nightmare. Everyone‘s trying to be a boss, not sticking to standard phraseology.

[@MrRedBull33]

@@PilotElias 100% agreed

[@oldmanc2]

Yes - longer runway in Katowice. "Do you want to stay closer to Krakow" Fantastic calm and pro-active ATC

[@hb1338]

@@PilotElias ... and gabbling to the point of incomprehensibility.

[@dk2428]

This video should be shown in the classrooms. Super helpful, professional and polite, textbook comm skills.

[@eckesdelicious]

This is one of the most satisfying videos i've ever watched. Exellent work of everyone involved.

[@nonamenameless5495]

All parties involved excelled and made some textbook-perfect examples blush... and whilst the pilot was simply outstanding, ATC went the extra mile to assist in pretty much every instance. There s quite a few great ATC-pilot interactions out there but somehow, this one puts the cherry on an already perfect cake.

[@andyml1]

Great job, Speedbird crew and Krakow ATC - Bravo! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@YouCanSeeATC]

👍🙂

[@adamdriver1016]

British pilots are the most polite!

[@Xanthopteryx]

What a delight to listen to! Super professional! And not a lot of disturbing chatty chit chat from the ground as can be seen, mostly in the US videos out there. Plain, simple, only necessary information.

[@akg9991]

They cut out other comms

[@PriHL]

I heard this interaction already somewhere else and must say I'm equally as delighted to hear such impeccable communication, especially from the BAW pilot.

[@johngritz9267]

Superb ATC & British pilots👍.

[@stachu1027]

❤️🇵🇱❤️

[@SJF15]

Very professional approach controller at Krakow.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

👍😎😉

[@fToo]

It seemed he really wanted to get them to fly to Katowice !

[@davidsmith3263]

@@fToo Totally! Are you sure you don’t want Katowice, it’s such a great airport!!

[@fToo]

@@davidsmith3263 and we've just lengthened the runway in Katowice especially for you !

[@dianericciardistewart2224]

Excellent!! Clear, concise comms by all involved! Nice work!! Great one YCSATC!! 💕✈️✈️💕

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Thank you 😎👍

[@brandon62031]

Love to hear that great communication between pilots and ATC.

[@followthetrawler]

Perfect professionalism from all involved.

[@BananasRock4evrtosk8]

I once heard someone say that to their friend as they passed by - it certainly was very cold outside!

[@petecurran3995]

Nice assistance from Kraków! 👌🏻

[@thomasafb]

ATC really on top of things there

[@funk44]

Outstanding ATC

[@stachu1027]

🇵🇱❤️🇵🇱

[@derradfahrer5029]

Thanks, all the talk about "Krakow" made me hungry. (=>Krakowska)

[@stachu1027]

😂🇵🇱

[@NicolaW72]

Thank you very much!🙂

[@YouCanSeeATC]

👍😊

[@williamrobinson7435]

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks! 👍

[@evo5dave]

BA pilots are outstanding. Pity the rest of the experience on BA isn't the same quality.

[@sheeshkbobs0]

Can anybody explain why the pilots decided to go back to Krakow? The plane was nearly equidistant from the two airports, and the controller suggested going to the other airport with the longer runway multiple times. I'm assuming the plane will be landing faster without flaps, and it sounded like the controller was concerned their runway wasn't long enough. I know the pilots have the final say in an emergency, but why didn't they go to the other airport?

[@Bluefox202]

The flaps were locked in TO config so max speed was 160kts.

[@frollard]

@@Bluefox202 That was my thought - had to keep lower speed...possibly BA has a more robust maintenance presence at Krakow.

[@RomeoJulietCharlie]

@@frollard yup, most likely because Krakow is a BA station, while Katowice isn’t. Actually, the controller was incorrect about the landing distance at Katowice, it’s even longer! 3200m available on RW09. The 2880m is for RW27, the opposing direction, due to a displaced threshold. That said, the crew would absolutely have looked at the charts while in the hold, and would have known this. They clearly calculated that the landing distance at Krakow was still more than adequate and entirely safe.

[@staceygrahame2504]

I’m absolutely an aviation novice but I can have a guess. During take off the flaps are extended to produce lift. So I assume as it was just after take off they were stuck extended, which would mean they were producing more drag which slows the aircraft down and why they also didn’t want to exceed 160 knots to risk something like stalling. So the plane would be landing with a slow speed anyway as it never got up to speed in the first place and on landing you also have flaps extended to create drag to slow the plane - which they were already configured to it sounds like.

[@hb1338]

@@staceygrahame2504 There is a maximum allowed speed for each flap setting - exceed that and you stand a good chance of breaking the aircraft in a very nasty way. 160 knots sounds like quite a high speed to have flaps extended, so I'd guess they were locked at 5 or 10 degrees.

[@rilmar2137]

Good job by everyone involved

[@AndrewCurtis57]

NOTHING WORSE… than frozen flaps 😵‍💫😳

[@conneellyp]

That’s what she said

[@noel0004]

@@conneellyp clever one💀

[@peoplesambassadordm8279]

We would like to maintain slow speed, does that mean flaps stuck in open position

[@tomstravels520]

As they have just taken off and would be trying to retract them yes

[@QFWP]

at 2m56s sounds like "magnetic" track 140. Very professional from both pilots and ATC

[@bytesback.]

I'm sure he's saying locked flaps not lost flaps.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

You are right. Thank you.

[@stefanc4520]

But what if the flaps WERE lost? 🤔

[@bytesback.]

@@stefanc4520 They would be in a bit of a flap then.

[@rsambrook]

They have ‘lost’ flap control because the flaps are ‘locked’ in the takeoff position. The performance system BA used at the time tends to favour flaps 3 or F3 (A320) takeoff to give maximum payload. Thus when accelerating to retract the flaps and the flaps don’t retracted from F3 to F1 you must stop accelerating to prevent damage to the flaps. Hence 160kts (F3 limit speed is 175kts). F3 is also a valid landing flap setting so not an issue with landing distance requirements. We practice this in the simulator every few years. A320 captain

[@rewolff2]

At 8:20 tower is transcribed as ... i would transcribe: "tower: click click (= understood / ok / yes)"

[@tenpiloto]

Superb ATC!

[@andrewsmall6568]

Most likely not frozen as in ice - but a few sensors that fail can result in the A320 restricting flap retraction to maintain envelope protection. So flaps down is the computer failsafe position.

[@chrisschack9716]

If anything stops, everything stops to avoid flap asymmetry

[@tungdo5507]

It's a flap/slat jammed abnormal condition

[@hb1338]

@@chrisschack9716 ... and also flap skew.

[@hb1338]

The word used by the crew was "locked".

[@ChrisCokeRobinson]

Frozen flaps? I find that weird.. I think it as probably a wingtip break triggering issue. I believe a difference of more than 1 degree between flaps when in movement triggers them to lock.

[@hb1338]

"locked flaps", not "lost flaps". Time codes for the transmissions would be really helpful, if they are available.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Thank you. I know that. See pinned comment.

[@RiftWalker111]

Any explanation why they were frozen in the first place?

[@RLTtizME]

Ambient temperatures dropped below 32F.

[@marcospark2803]

Too cold weather?

[@YouCanSeeATC]

I believe that was the way to say flaps are stuck.

[@tungdo5507]

it's flap/slat jammed, I think he said frozen as it was locked at that moment when he trying to retract

[@rtbrtb_dutchy4183]

Not actually frozen. Don’t take it that literally.

[@tillycatcat]

Legend has it that they took a few extra minutes on hold to finish their Cucumber sandwiches, scones and tea before putting her down in Krakow.

[@benrichards5160]

Cucumber sandwiches?? Is that a genuine stereotype about us brits?

[@tillycatcat]

@@benrichards5160 yup.

[@benrichards5160]

@@tillycatcat I can't name a single person I know that eats cucumber sandwiches 😂 Scones and tea maybe, but not cucumber

[@tillycatcat]

@@benrichards5160 Salmon and Cucumber is one of the most popular M&S sandwiches. You might argue that the main ingredient is Salmon, but I beg to differ. That salmon would be nowhere without those thick luscious slices of green water fruit.

[@benrichards5160]

@@tillycatcat That'll be why, M&S is far too posh for me

[@johnpollard4158]

The Poles may just rival the Brits for their politeness.

[@SJF15]

Nah!

[@MrPomelo555]

Their pierogis, yes.

[@PriHL]

Haha, glad to hear it but as a Polish person I must unfortunately destroy your idealised view :) But yes, Polish ATC are polite, so it's probably better to be up in the air in Poland rather than on the ground :)

[@MaidenCanada]

Canadians are very polite 😊

[@SM-ce1uy]

those pilots were so calm, wow

[@msjdb723]

More like this! (Accents 😍)

[@kenGPT]

So is PAN-PAN sort of a lesser MAYDAY. MAYDAY being a (HOLY SHIT) and PAN-PAN being a (um.. something is slightly off and we'd like to land and get it checked)

[@unknown.to.a1]

" PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN " is a non life-threatening distress signal. "Mayday mayday mayday" is mostly life-threatening emergencies.

[@HCMCDrives]

Refreshing to hear ATC talking at a normal speed instead of racing through them and becoming somewhat unintelligible.

[@ThePrimeMinisterOfTheBlock]

Nobody else got the vibe that ATC was a little too keen? So many interruptions

[@alastairbarkley6572]

I've known a few British pilots (actually, they were all English - as opposed to Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish). They ALL spoke in this kind of way as their 'normal' voice. This is a regionally unaccented English known as 'Received Pronunciation' which tends to be most commonly heard in south-east England. Since the 1970s, BBC presenters, anchors, newsreaders have been encouraged (or chosen for) RP. Of late, the BBC seems to be encouraging regional accents. Americans don't hear British regional accents? Yes, they do. Fiona Hill - British, now American - a USNSC adviser, darling of the Left and scourge of the Trump White House, made multiple Congressional hearing appearances in 2021 whilst strutting a florid but genteel 'Geordie' accent. That's the accent of north-eastern England around Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesborough and 'Tyneside'. Americans sure didn't know what that was.

[@beeble2003]

Not sure how you can claim that something is "regionally unaccented" but "most commonly heard in south-east England".

[@MrPomelo555]

Still waiting to hear an exchange with ATC using the words ‘bloody’, ‘rubbish’ and ‘bollocks’.

[@egpx]

@@beeble2003 because southeast England has its own accent which is different to both RP and other regional accents. RP might be more common down there but if anything it is more of a class-specific accent. Or indeed non-accent.

[@egpx]

@@MrPomelo555 In 37 years of Air Traffic Control I don't think I ever uttered 'bollocks' on the RT. I thought it frequently though!

[@beeble2003]

@@egpx Class-specific is a better call, yes. No such thing as a non-accent, though -- everybody has an accent, by definition.

[@3falconer]

Locked flaps - not lost flaps..

[@YouCanSeeATC]

See pinned comment. Thank you 😎

[@axilleas]

Everyone was a pro. Rather refreshing, these days.

[@hb1338]

How nice of the staff at Katowice to add 300 metres to their runway, just in case !

[@dominikwalewski6355]

I LITERALLY THOUGHT THE SAME LIKE xDD

[@lyaneris]

Takeoff length is 2880, landing length is 3200 :) In 08 (prob previously 09) direction there is additional stopway of 320m available.

[@LectronCircuits]

Frozen flaps can happen to anybody at any time (very grim). Let's be careful out there. Cheers!

[@michal_PL]

I was wondering how this is possible? This situation took place on 25th of Aug (summer season where temp is usually quite high) is this caused by the fact that planes are flying high altitudes where temp is very low??

[@loganselkirk]

@@michal_PL Frozen flaps means that they are locked; this was probably due to the APPUs (Asymmetric positional pickup units) giving an asymmetric (or erroneous) reading, this will immediately/automatically apply brakes to the flight control shafts, this in turn stops any movement of the flaps for the remainder of the flight. There are many reasons why the APPUs could give erroneous reading, but the most likely is one of the sensors has failed and therefore the readings no longer match the other units. The APPUs are a fail safe system to prevent asymmetric flap positions. Excessive asymmetric flap positions would not be healthy for anybody onboard!

[@michal_PL]

@@loganselkirk thank you for your great answer!:)

[@Krys_P]

Anyone able to explain what the 2 hr endurance means? Is this something to do with the fuel burn if there was a fire ?

[@Minstadave]

I assume it means they can fly for 2 hours in their current config before being low on fuel.

[@hb1338]

2 hours endurance means the aircraft can fly for a maximum of 2 hours more. Unless it is absolutely necessary, landing with less than 30 minutes fuel will attract the attention of the company's operational standards unit, and possibly the regulators at CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

[@staceygrahame2504]

Alternative scripts - (And I know this isn’t all American pilots but we’ve all struggled to hear plenty on these videos! 😅) American pilots: MAYDAYMAYDAYMAYDAY WE HAVE NO FLAPS REPEAT NO FLAPS WE MIGHT DIE GET US THE HELL DOWN OUTTA THIS DAMN BLUE SKY ATC: *Assists with options* American pilots: “We want your longest runway so that MF doesn’t run out and all your equipment standing by. We’ll take a holding pattern to panic a bit more, do something irrelevant then let y’all know when we’re bringing this badboy down.” VS English pilots: “I’m so very sorry to disturb you, but we have a minor situation with our flaps. They’re being a bit naughty.” ATC: *Questions intentions* English pilots: “We’d like a holding pattern that’s convenient for you, we’ll give all our buttons a press and if that doesn’t do the job we’ll discuss where we’d like to land.” ATC: *Vectors and offers helpful information* English pilots: That’s terribly useful old chum, thank you. We’ll just chat some more, we’re in no rush. ATC: *Does ATC stuff* English pilots: “Thank you for all your help. We’ll take your shortest runway - your standard - then we won’t be in the way of heavy and fully controllable aircraft needing those runways.” ATC: *Double checks they’re sure and grants request* English pilots: *Plane kisses the tarmac* Well that was a jolly good save. Let’s park this girl and go for a celebratory pint.”

[@hb1338]

They won't be going for a celebratory pint - they have to get the aircraft home when it has been repaired.

[@staceygrahame2504]

@@hb1338 It’s called satire.

[@vanceelderkin666]

why are they making left turns in the hold?

[@cjmillsnun]

Do you know your left and righ? they are clearly making right hand turns.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

😁

[@hb1338]

They made right turns because that's what ATC commanded.

[@lyaneris]

@@hb1338 Also, interestingly enough, right turns are standard for holdings, while left turns are standard for everything else :)

[@paddyohenry6428]

Locked flaps or lost flaps?

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Locked. My mistake.

[@electroid8119]

ATC are like "visit Katowice, very nice there"

[@YouCanSeeATC]

😄👍

[@cedarkey]

Yes, all very professional, however nobody was informed how much fuel they had (in minutes) 😂 Hello FAA Land… Notice how tidy and well handled this incident was. No skywriting aimlessly around the sky. Enter a hold, deal with checklists, make a decision and act on it. Easy when you know how. Roll the trucks.

[@flapppytappybird7923]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 i hear european arrogance

[@BabyWil88]

@@flapppytappybird7923 Pride I think you mean, arrogance would mean it's undeserved. Most pilots, including American pilots, agree that European ATC is a lot better and more efficient than US ATC. Unfortunately the governmental system in America means there's a lot of red tape before rules can be implemented or changed whereas in Europe that's not the case. It's the same reason why USA has some of the slowest internet speeds in the world too

[@marspp]

@@flapppytappybird7923 I hear quality European pilots and ATC who have different first languages and who communicate clearly, efficiently and effectively (as opposed to people who apparently have the same language but can’t communicate properly like “in FAA land”). Ohhhhh... you were commentating on the poster of the comment! Got it... you haven’t anything reasonable to say so “USA USA USA” your reply.

[@miniena7774]

Rent free. :)

[@flapppytappybird7923]

@@marspp Precisely, America is simply better because 🇺🇸 and that’s all we need 🙂

[@stachu1027]

🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@derekcrum]

Have you tried using your “flap heat” switch?

[@baigani0]

What is PAN PAN, sounds like BAM BAM?

[@xolotl8860]

It's indicates a less urgent emergency than MAYDAY, it doesn't mean anything except that it doesn't sound like anything else you're likely to say on the radio.

[@hb1338]

@@xolotl8860 PAN (as in PANic) is urgent, but there is no immediate threat to life.

[@randalpmcmurphy1340]

I think BA have only one pilot. They all sound the same 😂

[@andyvip]

Locked flaps, not lost

[@deakhanani]

I love PAN-PAN!!! MORE PAN-PAN!!!!

[@YouCanSeeATC]

👍😎

[@andrewdeans3686]

'My flaps are locked / frozen' beats 'I've got a headache', any day!

[@NaenaeGaming]

Something tells me that BA and frozen components seems to be a recurring theme…

[@annoyingbstard9407]

My missus has the same problem when she goes out in her crutchless bloomers.

[@mainy1984]

"Our Flaps are Frozen" - UK women on a night out in winter.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Helpful information from Atc but leabe the aircrew alone while they are doing their checks.

[@hb1338]

You don't know when the calls were made.

[@nutsbutdum]

"Our flaps are frozen"... giggity!

[@boozypixels]

Airbus builds the worst airliners imaginable.. you'd never see Boeing putting out defective crap like that

[@gavinsingh4450]

Should've de-iced the flaps too!!!

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Flaps were just locked

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Stuck

[@beeble2003]

It's not an icing issue in August.

[@gavinsingh4450]

@@beeble2003 You think you're so knowledgeable!!!

[@flying_carl6258]

@@gavinsingh4450 😂 Problem is, he/she DOES know more than you.

[@Nobilangelo]

We have no flip-flip in the flaps, so we're in a flap, and we don't want this to be a flop or we'll be a flippin' meme on KZbin.

[@Mors_Inimicis]

I knew a girl with that problem once.

[@feynthefallen]

That controller is almost overdoing it volunteering information I think.

[@Xanthopteryx]

I think he did splendid! Not knowing what information they had, since rwy length can vary depending on... stuff. Gave him two nice options, know that he might need a long one, tells weather and rwy length and then updated hen new information was available. To make it easier for the pilots to make a clever decision.

[@iamweave]

He did a great job but I was chuckling since it sound like he REALLY wanted them to go to the other airport and make it someone else's problem!

[@Marix498]

@@iamweave Katowice has much longer runway, but the controller firstly gave them wrong landing distance. Second think - Katowice airport is much less crowded area, far from the city, and does not need avoiding raising terrain and tress while going around. Kraków have.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Saved an atis check.

[@beeble2003]

He's not overdoing it. Remember that all the times when there was no communication between the plane and ATC have been cut from the video -- the crew say they'll need to circle for 15-20 minutes but that only takes about three minutes in the video.

[@Quasihamster]

Frozen? Literally frozen, as in icing? It's early September!

[@tomstravels520]

As in won't move

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Frozen flaps...LOL

[@Dunst1]

Billie Pipers flaps.😂

[@chrisholland1504]

The pilot should have asked the ATC if he was related to Alexandr the Meerkat.

[@hb1338]

Many Polish people, particularly at the moment, would be offended at the thought of having Russian relatives.

[@vito774]

Sometimes you gotta use your context clues…this one was a fail.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Yup, this is because of accent. My fault.

[@vito774]

@@YouCanSeeATC it’s all good, love your content and keep it up.

[@YouCanSeeATC]

Thank you 😊

[@vito774]

@Brandy Balloon not even close to the same meaning.

[@vito774]

@Brandy Balloon except he says locked, so your point isn’t valid.

[@bigal3940]

Quality Air Trafficking and quality Piloting, Happy Dayz

[@veyselcicek149]

Çevrimi yok yorum yapılmaz yorum için yazilani bilmemlazim ondan sonra yorum.

[@jodu626]

my man not wanting an emergency landing on his patch lol

[@bardo0007]

Fire the technician of that plane, flaps do not suddenly freeze.

[@megadavis5377]

LOL, "Pan, pan, pan." I wonder if the Spanish-speaking pilots ever think, "Bread, bread, bread?"

[@cageordie]

Declaring an emergency? He doesn't sound like an American. Very calm and professional handling by all involved.

[@Jack3md]

American pilots >

[@RLTtizME]

@@Jack3md The best.....not those Euro Brit Douches.

[@N1120A]

American pilots declare emergencies all the time.

[@RLTtizME]

@@N1120A Yeah...Mayday Pan Pan is for Euro Brit Fools.

[@cageordie]

@@N1120A Yes, but almost never using the FAA protocol.

[@ln5747]

Bit like my missus.

[@TheKingOfBeans]

This should not be available to the public

[@MultiAndrew1971]

My flaps are frozen. That’s what short women say in deep snow

[@freeman6939]

My girlfriend had the same problem when i left the bedroom window open. We were only about 15 feet up.

[@nobbystyles4807]

frozen flaps. sounds like my ex mrs.

[@martinosborne2842]

🤣🤣🤣😂😂

[@tonybaines3332]

flaps are frozen ? the wife suffers from that ?

[@blz480]

controller just needs to shut up a bit

[@benwakefield93]

There's me thinking frozen flaps were a female pilot problem...