In this part, you will tell me what you can see in this picture and what you think is happening in it. After that, I will ask you some questions. Look at the picture carefully. You may take a few moments to think before you start talking.
Are the instructions clear?

SUGGESTED INTERACTION:

ICAO 5:

This picture shows a regional passenger aircraft – more specifically, a Fokker 100 – operated by Contact Air performing a belly landing on a runway, which might have been caused by a landing gear malfunction during the landing phase.

We can clearly see flames and sparks coming from the lower part of the fuselage as the aircraft slides along the runway, indicating intense friction between the aircraft’s belly and the pavement.

There is also visible fire and heavy smoke trailing behind the aircraft, which was certainly caused by the contact between the metal structure and the runway surface while the aircraft is still decelerating.

Furthermore, upon closer examination of the situation, it appears that the aircraft is sustaining significant structural damage underneath, especially in the fuselage and engine area, as a direct result of the high-speed belly landing.

To the best of my knowledge about this type of event, despite the extreme risk and the critical nature of the situation, such landings are usually the outcome of well-executed emergency procedures, and in many cases, pilots are able to bring the aircraft to a safe stop, allowing passengers and crew to evacuate without serious injuries.

ICAO 4:

In this picture, I can see a regional passenger aircraft operated by Contact Air, more precisely a Fokker 100, performing a belly landing.

We can see some fire coming from the lower part of the aircraft and near the engines.

There is also heavy smoke behind the aircraft, caused by friction with the runway surface.

It seems that the aircraft is still moving along the runway when this picture was taken.

In the foreground of the picture, I can see the runway, some grass, and a runway sign.

In the background of the picture, I can see some airport buildings and trees, and the weather seems to be cloudy.

Examiner: What was happening before the picture was taken?

SUGGESTED INTERACTION:

ICAO 5:

Before the picture was taken, the flight crew was likely experiencing difficulties extending the landing gear during the approach or landing phase.

In response to this situation, the pilots may have been running the appropriate checklists and applying standard operating procedures in order to identify the failure, assess the available options, and prepare the aircraft for a belly landing.

As part of these actions, they might have decided to hold for some time, allowing the aircraft to reduce its weight and minimize the risk of fire during this critical landing.

ICAO 4: Before the picture was taken, the aircraft was facing problems to extend the landing gear, because of this they had to performing a belly landing.

Examiner: What will happen after that?

SUGGESTED INTERACTION:

ICAO 5:  After that, the aircraft will stop completely on the runway, the emergency services will support them on putting out the fire and on the emergency evacuation.

ICAO 4: After the aircraft stops completely on the runway, pilots will request fire and emergency services to support them.

Examiner: Why do sparks come below the aircraft when a belly landing is performed?

SUGGESTED INTERACTION:

ICAO 5:  The sparks come out because the fuselage suffers some friction alongside the runway’s pavement causing heating and producing sparks and fire.

ICAO 4: Sparks come below the aircraft due to the friction between the fuselage of the aircraft and the runway’s pavement.

Examiner: To what extent the fuel dumping helps in case of a belly landing?

SUGGESTED INTERACTION:

ICAO 5: Fuel dumping helps increase safety during belly landings.

By following this procedure, pilots can prevent serious damage caused by the impact of the aircraft on the ground, especially when the aircraft has full tanks.

The risks of flames and explosions are drastically reduced with a lower level of fuel in the tanks, thereby decreasing the potential life-threatening situation for people on board.

ICAO 4: Fuel dumping is very important to decrease all risks of flames and explosions during a belly landing procedure.

Now, I am going to read a statement to you and then you will have to tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with it.

“It’s known foam being applied along the extension of the runway length mitigates the fire threatening during a belly landing, but in another hand, it might cause a runway excursion easier than without it on the asphalt resulting in incidents or even accidents.”

SUGGESTED INTERACTION

ICAO 5:

I disagree with this statement because foam has not been in use for decades on a belly landing!

Apart from the time wasted in applying it on the runway, it may also add to the difficulties in bringing the aircraft to a safe stop on the runway’s perimeters, thereby diminishing the braking action and heightening the runway excursion risks.

ICAO 4:

I disagree with this statement because foam is not used anymore!

Foam was considered more problem than solution, because it was very hard to stop the aircraft safely with the use of it, resulting a lot of runway excursion due to the decreasing of braking action on the runway.