"John Gaquin" wrote in message

That's one of the "brand X" companies I used to fly for. Have had many
meals, naps, and mid-ocean discussions in that very a/c. Checking with
friends for add'l details.

This add'l from an old and good friend who just retired from EIA ---

"___________ was the Captain. He did a great job. In fact the Brits
plugged the

emergency into a 747 simulator in London and a Cathy Pacific crew flew it.
They crashed! _____ did a great job. The airplane had a lot less power
left than what the article said. They were almost a glider. They did get
into a little trouble as they declared an emergency instead of using the
word MAYDAY. In Europe it isn't an emergency, it's a mayday. Actually, if
I remember correctly, the London Controller got into a little trouble
because he vectored them over the city which they weren't supposed to do.
The airplane was inspected and they found nothing wrong with it and the next
day they flew it to Dover [AFB, US]. The airplane hasn't had a problem
since. They thought it might have been sand, as the airplane just came back
from the desert, but no one seemed to know..."