B747 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 25000; Flight Crew Type 1800
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Company Policy; Aircraft
CS closed door 2 minutes prior to scheduled departure and pulled jetway. That was the last I saw or heard from CS for the rest of the day. Ground control advised we were number 15 for pushback. 1.5 hours later we were number 1. 2 hours later we were cleared to push. Start malfunction after pushback. We were directed to park at hardstand. Maintenance deferred problem item. As we approached the 4 hour limit we contacted Dispatch and were told to exceed the limit. Then they determined that the local authorities would not allow the aircraft back to the gate. This was relayed to us via Satcom through Dispatch. We proceeded to taxi and takeoff beyond the 4 hour flag tarmac limit.1) CS provided no service to passengers after initial boarding.2)There is no CS timeline since no action was taken.3)All announcements made to pax were by pilots or flight attendants. No means of deplaning was made available.4)Pax were not allowed the opportunity to deplane.5)Deplaning was not offered because dispatch guidance was to exceed the tarmac limit. Also we were parked at a hardstand away from the gate making deplaning a lengthy and cumbersome process.
B747 Captain experiences a lengthy departure delay exceeding 4 hours due to both ATC and aircraft equipment malfunction. Local authorities will not allow the aircraft back on the gate and the maximum flag tarmac delay is exceed prior to departing.