CYP515

[RodBearden]

Anyone know why this CYP flight from Brum to Paphos is landing at Heathrow at 00.35UTC - surely after the curfew?

It's squawking 0540, so possibly not an emergency, but its track certainly seems odd if it's not.

Rod

[Southwest]

Could be a number of reasons but my two guesses would be either;

a) the database is wrong.

b) Technical or medical emergency.  Curfew or not, I don't think the BAA would be chirlish and say that the aircraft couldn't land for either situations.

[DaveReid]

Could be a number of reasons but my two guesses would be either;

a) the database is wrong.

b) Technical or medical emergency.  Curfew or not, I don't think the BAA would be chirlish and say that the aircraft couldn't land for either situations.

Well the database is half right - the AirNav server returns Birmingham-Paphos for CYP515, whereas the actual routeing is Birmingham-Larnaca via Paphos.

And yes, the LHR curfew doesn't apply to diversions or emergencies - I'd guess in this case an operational or maintenance issue, since a medical emergency is almost invariably accompanied by a 7700 squawk.

[btclarke]

And yes, the LHR curfew doesn't apply to diversions or emergencies - I'd guess in this case an operational or maintenance issue, since a medical emergency is almost invariably accompanied by a 7700 squawk.

Hi Dave,

From my atc background - its unusual 7700 squawk for medical issues. Usually only in aircraft (systems) emergencies.

This is only what I know from my career. However, having a medical emergency would most certainly allow for a landing after curfew too.

Cheers
Bryan

[gulfdave]

According to the Cyprus Mail (English language newspaper on island), CYP515 diverted due to a technical fault identified overhead the English Channel. News story at http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/cyprus-airways-plane-grounded/20100523

Regards,
Dave

[RodBearden]

Good find - many thanks, Dave.

Rod