An amazing story.

British Airways flight in 1982. Apparently the effects of volcanic ash were not known back then. The flight was a 747 and was headed down south in the South Pacific. The plane was cruising at 37k when they experienced what they thought was St Elmos Fire, but there was no storm. The effect was allover the plane including engines. Shortly thereafter then #4 engine shut down. With in 4 min of the #4 shutting down, the remaining 3 engines shut down turning the plane into a glider. They set 10k as their min alt before they would turn and try a water ditching. After numerous attempts at engine restarts, they finally got the engines started at about 12k ft. The landed blind (windscreens wee sandblasted opaque by the volcanic ash) and all hands survived.

https://youtu.be/YYwN1R8hVsI

Very cool story. Bet they were handing out clean drawers after that flight.

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Almost all commercial planes have a glide ratio between 15:1 and 20:1. At a cruising altitude of 40,000ft, a Boeing 777 can glide for about 210km without engines. A Boeing 747 can glide for about 170km or 20 minutes under favourable conditions. This also depends on the weight, weather conditions etc.

I stand amazed. When I read such high glide ratios for airliners I was doubtful. Most small planes are about 10 or 12. I had to fact check it, but you’re generally correct. The 747 is 17:1. Surprising to me, so it’s evident I haven’t flown them much. I would have expected them to have the glide ratio of a washing machine is compared to a small, light plane.

Learn something every day.