Hewa Bora Airways "borrowing" fuel-procedure

Post by **luchtzak** » 03 Nov 2004, 17:24

Got this in my mailbox today, read text first:

Our Pax had just started boarding when F/O noticed a
gathering under the wing of a Hewa Bora B727. After a short while we
realised what was going on and I sneaked a few shots from inside the cockpit.

The 727 was being refuelled via the panel under the right wing and as fast as
they could, apron workers in co-hoots with the security personnel, were
"borrowing" fuel from a vent under the left wing.

Sporadic fighting broke out as the group jostled for a turn to fill their containers.

Eventually an ever-growing puddle of spilt fuel started making it's way along
the apron towards our aircraft. ( Notice the fellow with the cap using a sponge
to recover some.)

We became a little concerned that the puddle was headed our way, and ATC
must have sensed this, for as we were about to call them, a fire tender arrived
to clean up the mess. The tender gave the group a blast as well and they
scattered, but it had no sooner retreated and they were back.

This carried on for almost an hour, until eventually the aircraft was towed away.

Regards

Now watch the pictures of this event: http://coppermine.luchtzak.be/thumbnails.php?album=281

waldova · Post by **waldova** » 03 Nov 2004, 18:59

Wow,

I have never seen a thing like this. How do all these people come on the tarmac? Do they all have a persmission or doesn't anybody care.

Also what airport was this? I guess in Zaire but I'm not shure.

liebensd · Post by **liebensd** » 03 Nov 2004, 19:08

Waldova,

It is Kinshasa Int. in DRC Congo, if the source of this picture is reliable:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/644891/L/

In Africa you can see things what you can't see on another place in the world.

Greetz,

Dave

SAA-SAL · Post by **SAA-SAL** » 03 Nov 2004, 20:00

To whom does that BAC 1-11 belong to?

Skystef · Post by **Skystef** » 03 Nov 2004, 22:27

SAA-SAL wrote:To whom does that BAC 1-11 belong to?

Air Katanga formerly ITAB. Seems a new addition, ex Nationwide Air, and apparent painted again I.T.A.B. titles on some of their aircraft. (ITAB= International Trans Air Business).

Found some more info: its 9Q-CDY, ex ZS-NUJ with c/n 261, and was delivered to Air Katanga on Februari 28, 2004.

Brgrds S

5Y-KQV · Post by **5Y-KQV** » 24 Nov 2004, 14:21

Liebensd

In Africa you can see things what you can't see on another place in the world.

I would rather ammend this statement to read in Zaire. "In Congo, DRC you can see things you can't see in another place".

In as much as the scene in the pictures is very unfortunate, much of Africa has, and continues to make progress in aviation and related security issues. From my travel experience within Africa, these are scenes you would not see at the airports in NBO, MBA, JNB, CPT, ADD, ACC, CAI etc.

All in all, I hope that they have put measures in place to ensure that it never happens again.

Cheers,

Walter.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » 04 Feb 2005, 19:58

It seems your pictures found their way to the press: http://www.airliners.net/discussions/ge ... n/1941150/

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 04 Feb 2005, 20:34

1- It is strictly forbidden to refuel an aircraft with pax on board (for obvious safety reasons)

2- Does the top-off fuel were inoperative?

Seb.

Advisor · Post by **Advisor** » 10 Feb 2005, 09:44

Strange things happen only in strange places.