Originally Posted by david1 (Post 621648)

Why don't they make runways twice or even three times as long, so if there is a problem , there is room to land?

Originally Posted by katex (Post 621666)

Can't help thinking about their relatives in Gran Canaria, looking forward to seeing their loved ones, and to be took aside and told about this tragedy .. doesn't bear thinking about.

Only consolation we all have is that is doesn't happen so often pro-rata.

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 621671)

Thanks for taking the trouble to respond Kate....Seems low priority for the majority?

Originally Posted by katex (Post 621695)

I don't think low priority Royboy, when a tragedy such as this happens, our imagination runs amok and we all conceive being that relative at the receiving airport, and shed a tear in that image.

Do we know if any survivors as yet ?

Originally Posted by harwood red (Post 621689)

God bless to all those affected by this terrible tragedy...the dead, the survivors, the relatives, the crew, staff of the airline and airport...the pain is so far reaching.

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 621697)

As you know, I live in Spain. The people here are very aware of what has happened.....Black armbands are the norm. The Spanish people are very religious and nationalistic....having something like this to happen on Spanish soil is hurting everyone in Spain.
I feel very deeply for my neighbours.

Originally Posted by Royboy39 (Post 621697)

As you know, I live in Spain. The people here are very aware of what has happened.....Black armbands are the norm. The Spanish people are very religious and nationalistic....having something like this to happen on Spanish soil is hurting everyone in Spain.
I feel very deeply for my neighbours.

Originally Posted by Boeing Guy (Post 621894)

Sorry guys but the MD-80 is in service with both American Airlines, they have over 200 and Delta Airlines over 100.

Although the DC-9 family can trace it's root's back to the late 1960's, the MD-80 has only been in service since 1980, over 900 still in service and over 2000 of the DC-9 family, Boeing 737's are from the 60's as are 747's. Airbus have stuff nearly as old as well.

Europe, JAA ( shortly to be called EASA) are very stringent on their safety and checks, it the FAA had banned this aircraft you could be sure that the JAA would have followed suit.

It is very easy to come to conclusions when these things happen, but as a professional, I know that accidents are never one fault but a series of problems (a chain of events) cause these things.

The fact is this, commercial airliners fly all the time with things inop, we have a list called the Minimum Equipment List, this allows us to take off with all manner of things inop. You would be supprised and maybe a bit worried. The pilot's, who died, will not take off unless they think the aircraft is safe, end of.
I will wait to see the report as speculation helps no one.