arrow cargo is dead airline,Best photo from Budapest January 15, 2024

Whoops! Heart stopping stuff! April 30, 2010

"Lift up anytime you like" What a shot nice catch! May 26, 2008

Kiskochas: Awsome photo- thank you for capturing the near disaster! Sean, TriStar-Mistar, Mark Aleane, Mac, and "Unknown poster on May17": I think that you all share the recognition for mentioning the flap setting. The opt flap setting for this aircraft/airport/runway/temperature is Flap 15.x. From the photograph, it appears that the actual flap setting is something less than that figure. If this theory is correct, the photo would suggest a pilot error or a problem with the runway analysis data. May 26, 2008

I really have to wonder about this picture. Factors mentioned include intersection takeoff, gross weight, flap setting, temperature, airport altitude, flex data, runway analysis, etc. Anybody take a look at the main and center gear? They are w on their way into the retraction sequence. They're moving up. I have 15 years combined MD-11 and DC-10 time and I can tell you two things: 1) those gear are in transit, and 2) I've never seen anybody that quick on the trigger with the gear handle....unless the Captain called for gear up as soon as he rotated. Just a thought. May 26, 2008

I fly KC-10s for the usaf and there is no reason this plane should have been this late on rotation. Obviously a major TOLD error occurred. Our engineers come up with an optimum flap setting that can be manually dialed in based on temps, weights, cargo loads of the day etc. We have the ability to use derated thrust settings but if they were heavy odds are they hopefully executed a takeoff with TRT set. Ive taken off max gross weight many times and you are at the end of the runway but not this close. I would have loved to have heard the comments while climbing out! May 21, 2008

WOW, giving the IL 86 a run for its money... as someone said that does not look much flap! May 19, 2008

Tailwind component coupled with an intersection departure? 31R is a little trek from the terminal isn't it? Still, someones calcs might have been a little out! May 19, 2008

Nice shot! Scary, too! Yes the flap configuration looks odd. Look at the flap settings on this same a/c taken a few months prior in Quito (photo 6240859). Quite a difference! May 19, 2008

It was not an intersection takeoff, and also was no tailwind or extreme heat (about 20-25 degrees Celsius). The most interesting is, that the crew hadn't even ask the longer runway. (In normal operation at 31 direction 31L is the departure runway at BUD, which is about 700 meters shorter.) There was no loading here, only a technical stop with crew change and fuel refill. May 19, 2008

An excellent capture, Kiskockas. This is the same aircraft that Stefano Rota snapped in Quito, Ecuador, and which is currently being shown as JP's Picture of the Week. A few extra seconds on the ground and your picture may very well have been the last photo ever taken of this particular DC-10. Dramatic shot, K. Well done. May 19, 2008

That doesn't look like a lot of flap they've got selected there... Anyone know the setting for T/O on the DC-10? May 18, 2008

What were they thinking! I mean, thats just meters from disaster!! I really hope they would have something to say about this, cause its not normal. And what ever the reason or factor is that saved them, they should be thank full. Great capture, I don't consider it "Exciting", but really breath taking and relieving perhaps! It would be great to see the rest of the sequence. May 17, 2008

Nah... come on guys... he's not taking-off... he's making a precision landing on the dirt at the end of the pavement!! LOL :D Many things could come into play here, even an engine failure after V1 which would require a long rotation especially if the airplane was heavy. Though I'm sure every spotter there would have a scanner to listen to ATC comms and know that the aircraft may have come back for a landing afterwards... I guess it's all speculation at this point, we may never know what ever happened here. May 17, 2008

Very Nice! But can anyone explain why the very late take-off? short RWY, perhaps? Hot high and heavy? May 17, 2008

That's an incredible takeoff for a DC-10-30. It must have been very heavy. Runway 31R at BUD has a 12358 feet / 3767 meters take off distance available, though 31R elevation is 417.0 feet / 127 meters while the other end's (13L) elevation stands at 495.0 feet / 151 meters. This must have played a role in the long take off. May 17, 2008

I don't think so.. This runway is 3707 meter long... Maybe the plane was heavy.. May 17, 2008

Very exciting moment, great shot, Congratulations! May 17, 2008

Great job, congratulations!! May 17, 2008

FANTASTIC PHOTO! Thanks for capturing and sharing it! As far as why on the long T/O? In my opinion,12000+ ft..500ft or less elev..and poss current temp wouldn't have played much of a role on this compared to other certain factors such as a low flap setting(as mentioned above),weight of the a/c(as mentioned above),weight & Balance distribution, a de-rated t/o thrust setting, or simply a very slow rotation by the pilot(deliberate or not). May 17, 2008

Thanks for catching this moment and sharing it with us!! Very nice!! May 16, 2008