Hello everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to provide an update on our ongoing mission to ensure that those in positions of influence recognise the remarkable bravery displayed by the Qantas Flight 72 crew, led by the exceptional retired Captain Kevin “Sully” Sullivan. Thanks to his skill and courage, he brought all 315 passengers and crew safely back to their families, averting a tragic disaster.

The story of Qantas Flight 72 continues to resonate worldwide, with over 20 million views across YouTube and social media platforms combined. Even retired Air New Zealand Captain Brian Tourell, a former Air Force pilot, has shared his own insights on this harrowing flight.

With new leadership at Qantas, there is renewed hope that the significance of this event and how it preserved Qantas’s reputation will be recognised. Thank you all  for your steadfast support and for helping spread the word. The journey continues, and together, we’ll keep the conversation alive. It’s been over sixteen years, and we remain committed.

TEAM SULLIVAN

All Day Every Day!

Introduction:

I have been asked to comment on the crews’ actions in recovering from the aircraft incident that happened to Qantas Flight 72 on 7 October 2008.

My relevant background in aviation is as follows:

Organisation:

1. Royal Air Force
2. Air New Zealand

Aircraft Flown:

1. P3b Orion – F/O, Captain, Flight Instructor
2. Fokker F27 – F/O
3. Boeing 737 – 100, 200, 300 – F/O, Captain, Training Captain
4. B747 – F/O
5. B767 300 & 300 – Captain
6. B777 200 & 300 - F/O, Captain

*I have omitted several smaller and low time aircraft. Total Flight Hours greater than 24,000

 
Comments

I studied the safety investigation report and make the following comments.

• The crew were placed in unenviable position of having to cope with unpredictable failures within the flight control system causing a severe pitch down and conflicting failure warnings. The pitch down led to several injuries to crew and passengers within the cabin.
• Captain Kevin Sullivan and his crew handled the system failures extremely competently. The distractions caused by conflicting warnings coupled with a flight control failure forced the crew think outside the square to enable them to cope with the emergency and then land the aircraft safely.

Recommendation

• I recommend that Captain Sullivan and crew be given a significant award to recognise the brilliant effort in recovering the aircraft and its occupants safely.

Captain Bryan Tourell (Ret.)

bwtourell@xtra.co.nz