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Eric Moody

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description Eric Moody Overview

Eric Moody is a retired British Airways pilot who commanded Flight 9 in June 1982. During the flight, the aircraft, a Boeing 747, accidentally encountered a cloud of volcanic ash over Indonesia, causing all four engines to flame out. Moody and his flight crew successfully glided the aircraft until the engines restarted, ultimately executing a safe landing in Jakarta with no loss of life. The event became a foundational case study in aviation safety regarding the dangers of volcanic ash clouds.

help Eric Moody FAQ

Why did all four engines fail on Eric Moody's Boeing 747?

British Airways Flight 9 entered an ash cloud from Indonesia's Mount Galunggung in June 1982. Volcanic ash melted inside the four Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, causing each engine to flame out.

What did Eric Moody tell passengers after the engines stopped?

Moody delivered a famously understated announcement explaining that all four engines had stopped and that the crew was trying to restart them. The calm message became one of the best-known passenger announcements in aviation history.

How did the crew of Flight 9 restart the engines?

The Boeing 747 glided out of the densest ash while the crew repeatedly attempted restarts. As the aircraft descended into clearer air, the engines cooled enough for combustion to resume.

Where did Eric Moody land British Airways Flight 9?

Moody landed the damaged 747 safely at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta. The ash had sandblasted the windscreen, so the crew had very limited forward visibility during the approach.