Voices Heard on the MD11 N240UP

Closing my laptop after ending a Skype call with my family I grabbed my flight bag and headed down to the hotel lobby. The captain, the IRO (International Relief Officer) and I waited for our van ride to the airport.

Making our way through security and then through customs before heading out to our plane. We received the MD11 # N240UP’s paperwork from the mechanic and began our routine flight procedures. This particular plane was grounded by the captain the day before as we saw noted in the log book. The plane was checked by our mechanics and nothing had been found. In this situation, both the captain and I inspected the plane looking for fluid leaks, double checked the avionics bay and looked for any other abnormalities. We found nothing and continued our flight check list inside the plane. Ground crew closed the doors as we signed the papers ready for push back. We started the engines while in push back and proceeded to taxi while listening to the tower commands. Receiving approval for take-off we left Sydney, destination Shenzhen.

Reaching our flight’s altitude of 39,000 feet and Mach speed of .82, we leveled off and programmed the auto pilot. I unbuckled and walked through the courier area, back to the galley for drinks. Grabbing two Coke Lites I handed one to the captain when a loud clunk echoed under our feet coming from the Nose Wheel Compartment area. Disappearing as quickly as it sounded, we started with our check procedures and found nothing. Dismissing it, and agreeing that a bird must have hit the plane and it wasn’t loud enough to wake the IRO, who was asleep in the bunk. We continued to check instruments and continued our discussion of iPhone vs. Droid. Another clang, bang and rattle from the Avionics Bay located under our feet and then, silence.

Curiosity led me to the log book. Looking back to the previous flight, the reasons and his notes logged by the captain for grounding plane # N240UP. The notes didn't completely match what we experienced. Skimming through the other pilots complaints when a ringing in my ear it began, it sounded like chatter. Looking up and the left to the captain, I knew he could hear it too because of the look he was giving me. "Maybe, it's the RFO. I'll go check." I said reassuring.

Unbuckling my seat belt I turned to stand, being jolting back into my seat the IRO standing practically over us. Little discussion took place, as we fell to complete silence ... The voice was getting louder and more clear, however none of us spoke or could understand Chinese.

Radioing in our events the Captain began calmly explaining the circumstances. They have denied our request to return to Sydney. Banging, clanging sounds are strengthening and the voice is sharper than before. Agreeing it would be too dangerous for either one of us to go into the Avionics Bay. The noise subsided, hesitating I asked for the captains pistol and opened the hatch behind his seat. Using my flash light and pointing the pistol ready to shoot, the Avionics Bay was clear. No one was down there and equipment, including the nose wheel, appeared to be unharmed.

Two hours into our flight and everything seemed to settle down. We continued on our routine flight carrying taking off with 630,000 pounds of cargo and fuel. We are too heavy, we don’t have permission to land and we can’t prove why we would need to land. Until now!

Sudden bangs and clanks began, and instantly I pulled out my iPhone signaling for the captain to pull out his Droid. We pulled up recording aps and started recording. Leaving them both recording the voice and the banging. The captain radio called the Hong Kong tower and asked for permission for an emergency landing.

Permission granted we started the procedures, dumping 100,000 pounds of fuel equaling 18,000 gallons, costing the company approximately $80,000 in fuel. Plus a landing fee from Hong Kong of $10,000 US. The loud clinging and the Chinese voice getting stronger we continued our decent knowing we would have to “Walk the Red Carpet.” All Pilots must go in front of the chief pilot, the company heads and the FAA when costing the company this large of a loss or any other type of major issue/mistake. The FAA will be involved most likely because of a “heavy” landing. Whoever is in the Nose Wheel Compartment sound like they are removing the landing gear and tearing up the Avionics bay, our lives could depend on us landing.

The crew of MD11 # N240UP were summoned and prepared to walk the red carpet. We will be given a chance to explain our actions on the flight fromSydney to Shenzhen.

One by one we explained and listed the events in the order that they happened. Asking for permission to play the recordings on our smart phones and requested an interpreter.

The interpreter began to listen, closing her eyes concentrating on every syllable, deciphering the crashing sounds from the voice. She asked for us to replay both devices, now with a non-blinking eye, her mouth slowly dropped. Her eyes darted over to the chief pilot when the words popped out from my iPhone. She jumped and chattered something in Chinese, calming herself she skin paled, she swallowed hard and then she choke out the words, “The voice,” she hesitated, “The Voice, he is saying, you Chief Pilot Hasting … Must Die.”