KLM Cancelled

Our first day on the island found us at our favorite spot in the world...Maho Beach watching planes land and takeoff, KLM came in few minutes late and landed in high winds. There seemed to be a huge puff of smoke when he touched down...a little larger than most when the "rubber meets the asphalt" IMHO Everything looked pretty normal but when he was late taking off for two hours I checked online and it says KLMs takeoff has been canceled. Does anyone on TTOL have any insider Intel at the airport? Does the big 747 need fixing?

It looks like KLM took off at 1249p after a 49 minute delay but the flight route says "in flight" arriving in Curacao with a 2 hour delay

Sounds like a bent wheel upon landing.

Can see from my front door that KLM is still parked at the gate, even though the website says enroute.

Just saw on Maho Beach Cam KLM is still on the ground.

Maybe it's "en route" but just not moving yet... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Edited to add:

Even better...KLM site says "enroute" but delayed 30 hours

RonDon:
A bent wheel would be a big, big deal. They would most likely have to change the whole landing gear. That's a pretty big job. The report of the smoke makes me think that he blew a tire. Not a big job if you have a replacement tire on hand and the equipment to change it.

It has been at the gate all day today...and as of 15 minutes ago, when we drove by the airport it was still parked!!!

Flying in a wheel/tire is pretty routine. Blowing tires happens. Bending wheels happens, but much more rarely. Bending a landing gear is very remote and requires a pretty hard landing. Removing and replacing a whole landing gear assembly is a big deal and that jet will be there awhile while one is crated in and installed (outdoors).

If it was a hard landing, I'd bet on blown tire(s).

Still sitting on Tarmac this morning.

Wouldn't doubt mechanics and spare parts are arriving on AF498 today.

I'll bet those KLM execs are kicking themselves now for not purchasing the extneded Boeing Service and Roadside Assistance contract. Also helps if you mistakenly lock your keys in the cockpit!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
I'm pretty sure Boeing Roadside is only offered in the continental 48.

Still sitting there.

UP UP AND AWAY!

At 8:06 pm the KLM 747 took off from St Maarten. It looked good (smooth takeoff) and sounded good. No idea what the problem was but it obviously got fixed.

A pilot friend on the island heard the KLM crew announce to the tower they had a brake system malfunction.

According to this story, it was an engine problem, but at least they were able to leave finally.