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Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 7:50 am
by V8Granite
Already some conspiracy theories, saying it must have been a bomb as they heard a bang, nothing in a substation to burn etc etc.
That’s apart from the thousands and thousands of litres of oil they have inside them, the mushroom cloud they make when they do go up as there are plates on the top which act as a kind of pressure release and the fact that electricity does indeed go with a bang.
100% it was Trump, Zelenskyy, Biden, Putin, Shaggy.
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:13 am
by mik
For anyone else who was not aware of ze
news
I assumed they would have had backup generator capability (which I accept would need to be pretty substantial) to run even at reduced capability, but maybe the smoke is a problem on its own?
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:19 am
by V8Granite
If they were sensible they would have a few Bergen BV20 gas engines, 46% efficient, heat the runway when it snows and use the power of tomorrow, today!!!
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:20 am
by IanF
The back up station at Hayes was also damaged, which certainly adds more credence to this not being an accident as I’d have thought the back up would be well separated. Quiet in Windsor today.. creepy!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:23 am
by V8Granite
Depends, they may have been doing a black start run but a transformer could certainly have damaged any breakers in the system.
I once did a crash stop of a site in Uganda and it turned off Kenya.
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 9:45 am
by Mito Man
Back up generators also knocked out according to Ed Miliband
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 10:31 am
by Ascender
Mito Man wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 9:45 am
Back up generators also knocked out according to Ed Miliband
Well, I've heard that they removed the backup diesel generators and put in bio fuel to go green... which failed as soon as they were supposed to kick in.
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 10:55 am
by V8Granite
Highly likely the fuel pumps or lines were gunned up, tanks not heat, run purely on bio o stead of diesel and switching over. Smaller grant if 100% bio I believe.
It could be a million things but it’s a very poor effort to fail as soon as it’s needed.
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:00 am
by tim
Anyone have a PJ doing nothing? My g/f is stuck in Charlotte NC. They turned around over newfoundland last night. Pretty chaotic there!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:01 am
by tim
V8Granite wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:23 am
I once did a crash stop of a site in Uganda and it turned off Kenya.
That's a flex!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:04 am
by GG.
tim wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:01 am
V8Granite wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:23 am
I once did a crash stop of a site in Uganda and it turned off Kenya.
That's a flex!
That's what Dave said briefly before the cable was cut through

Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:15 am
by Sundayjumper
tim wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:01 am
V8Granite wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 8:23 am
I once did a crash stop of a site in Uganda and it turned off Kenya.
That's a flex!
Wait until you hear the story about when Dave got Kenya turned on

Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:27 am
by JonMad
My sister works there in security. She's having something of a quiet day, having finally got in.
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:04 pm
by IanF
Met Counter-terrorism Unit leading investigation.. not sure they’d do that for some gunked up valves, but maybe just covering bases.
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:06 pm
by Beany
It's major critical infrastructure, I'd be more surprised if they weren't involved, at least initially or until they can dismiss terrorism as a potential cause.
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:31 pm
by V8Granite
IanF wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:04 pm
Met Counter-terrorism Unit leading investigation.. not sure they’d do that for some gunked up valves, but maybe just covering bases.
You’ll be happy to know that the UKs air traffic control backup was in my careful hands Ian, do not fear!
I also know who looks after it now, they will not leave you in the dark.
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:54 pm
by IanF
Beany wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:06 pm
It's major critical infrastructure, I'd be more surprised if they weren't involved, at least initially or until they can dismiss terrorism as a potential cause.
I thought that Special Branch would run any inquiries into infrastructure attacks, but as it was combined the anti-terror police unit to became the Counter-Terrorism unit back in 2006, you may be correct

Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:55 pm
by IanF
V8Granite wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 1:31 pm
IanF wrote: Fri Mar 21, 2025 12:04 pm
Met Counter-terrorism Unit leading investigation.. not sure they’d do that for some gunked up valves, but maybe just covering bases.
You’ll be happy to know that the UKs air traffic control backup was in my careful hands Ian, do not fear!
I also know who looks after it now, they will not leave you in the dark.
Dave!
Phew!.. and if I fancy a weekend off, you’re the man to call?

Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 3:12 pm
by V8Granite
I’m sure a flight to Vegas on the house will sort things out
Dave!
Re: Heathrow
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 3:22 pm
by scotta
This reminds me of a documentary I watched about a terrorist attack on Dulles International airport on xmas eve 1990 Where they cut power to the airport. The military ended up getting involved with that one.