MD-80 makes emergency landing after cabin window shatters

[straitman]

An AA MD 80 made an emergency landing after a window shattered.

AA MD 80 with a shattered window makes an emergency landing.

 

[JohnK]

That would not have been very pleasant.

Is this a rare incident? How often do window panes break during a flight? And more importantly actually cause damage to an engine.

 

[Mal]

I believe in Australia it happens a couple of times per year (windows cracking, not particularly shattering).

 

[Evan]

Happened to one of the QF 743's recently (A couple of months ago) but they have a few windows in a window thankfully so not a case of explosive de-compression.
Can't imagine its very nice to be on a plane that it happens with.
E

 

[dot]

I was curious about the comment:

The passengers departed on another flight about an hour after landing, he said. The pilot lowered the oxygen masks, but only as a precaution, and he did not instruct the passengers to put them on, Smith said.

I've never been in the situation, but I thought you were supposed to pull on them firmly and place on your face should they drop from the overhead compartments - not wait for the pilot to tell you to put the masks on.

 

[Evan]

Maybe he pre-announced what he would do and tell people not to use them unless instructed. Does seem strange. but it is a news report.
E

 

[jamesatfish]

Maybe he pre-announced what he would do and tell people not to use them unless instructed. Does seem strange. but it is a news report.
E

This certainly seems like a strange thing for a captain to do.

The oxygen masks are supplied with oxygen generated by a chemical reaction that is triggered when the first oxygen mask is activated, and generates about 10-15 minutes worth of oxygen - ideally enough to support an emergency descent to a flight level with breathable atmosphere in the case of decompression.

If just one of the passengers panicked (or didn't understand the instruction) and pulled to activate their mask, the oxygen generation would have been activated and as a chemical reaction, there is no way to stop the process - meaning that if the captain announced the need to actually use the masks some time after dropping them down, there may only have been a fraction of the normal oxygen supply available for use.

Then again, if the aircraft was back at a suitably low flight level then oxygen supply wouldn't have been a problem - in which case why drop the masks in the first place?

 

[Evan]

If anybody is interested.....

DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL OXYGEN GENERATORS: The MD-80 passenger emergency oxygen system uses chemical oxygen generators together with oxygen masks mounted behind panels above or adjacent to passengers. If a decompression occurs, the panels are opened either by an automatic pressure switch or by a manual switch, and the mask assemblies are released.

A plastic tube through which the oxygen will flow is connected from the mask assembly reservoir bag to an outlet fitting on one end of the oxygen generator. Additionally, a lanyard, or slim white cord, connects each mask to a pin that restrains the spring-loaded initiation mechanism (retaining pin). The lanyard and retaining pin are designed such that a one- to four pound pull on the lanyard will remove the pin, which is held in place by a spring-loaded initiation mechanism.

When the retaining pin is removed, the spring loaded initiation mechanism strikes a percussion cap containing a small explosive charge mounted in the end of the oxygen generator. The percussion cap provides the energy necessary to start a chemical reaction in the generator oxidizer core, which liberates oxygen gas.

Anyway each group of upto 3 seats will share a generator as i understand it so your 100% correct about the operation if somebody does not listen to the announcment, atleast it will only be that group of seats and not the whole plane.

As you can see i cant sleep !
E

 

[jamesatfish]

Anyway each group of upto 3 seats will share a generator as i understand it so your 100% correct about the operation if somebody does not listen to the announcment, atleast it will only be that group of seats and not the whole plane.

As you can see i cant sleep !
E

I didn't realise that it was only each group of seats that would be affected - as you say at least not the whole plane and if one row was activated accidentally there would be plenty of spare masks in non-activated rows to make up the difference.

Thanks for the info.

 

[simongr]

Happened to one of the QF 743's recently (A couple of months ago) but they have a few windows in a window thankfully so not a case of explosive de-compression.

E

REminds me of the mythbusters ep where they busted the explosive decompression myth - great ep

 

[NM]

This certainly seems like a strange thing for a captain to do

....

Then again, if the aircraft was back at a suitably low flight level then oxygen supply wouldn't have been a problem - in which case why drop the masks in the first place?

That would most likely have been the case. If there was any form of cabin decompression or a perceived risk of decompression, the pilot's first action would be to descend. And once down below around 8000 feet, the masks would not be required even if there was a complete decompression.

 

[Evan]

Even from above 10,000 feet and decending there is no real issues with lack of o2. Skydivers often put just above 10,000 feet for only a short time and they are doing physical activity and still survive

And in case your all wondering... there is minimum of 15 mins from the o2 generators onboard and A/C.
The MD-80 o2 generators only have a service life of 12years. I imagine they are not to cheap to replace every 12 years as well. (assuming they are not used in this time)

E