QF30 Emergency Landing in MNL after door "Popped"

[markis10]

That's the first time that the seriousness of the incident has been mentioned.

It does not get too more serious than an incident/occurance of decompression given that it is a good indicator of hull failure/fault of some sort!

 

[QF WP]

straitman, has CASA released anything yet? Hope you never have to think about doing that (but if you were flying at FL300 then I'd be surprised, :shock: even).

 

[straitman]

straitman, has CASA released anything yet? Hope you never have to think about doing that (but if you were flying at FL300 then I'd be surprised, :shock: even).

Lindsay,

I have seen nothing at this time. I'll look at the ATSB & Pprune web sites later this afternoon and report back.

Got to go.

 

[simongr]

It does not get too more serious than an incident/occurance of decompression given that it is a good indicator of hull failure/fault of some sort!

My point was more that this is the first time that a potential hull loss has been mentioned. If this was the case then I would have expected it to be in the press already.

 

[Keith009]

My point was more that this is the first time that a potential hull loss has been mentioned. If this was the case then I would have expected it to be in the press already.

I think pax were under instruction by Qantas not to speak to the media (though not sure what was stopping them - non-disclosure agreements??). I agree that the press would've had a field day on this one had it been picked up on.

 

[simongr]

I would need a sizeable incentive to sign an NDA in this instance - any chance to get my face on TT/ACA

 

[serfty]

... They claim that the pilot advised they may have to ditch the aircraft, but would attempt to reach MNL. ...

Maybe this was part of the SOP for such an incident; a notice that ditching may be necessary and for PAX to review their life jacket procedures just in case.

 

[oz_mark]

straitman, has CASA released anything yet? Hope you never have to think about doing that (but if you were flying at FL300 then I'd be surprised, :shock: even).

I seem to recall the ATSB saying an interim report would be out 30 days after the incident, so not long to go. CASA would probably wait till there was anything to act on.

 

[NM]

Having met the captain involved on two occasions, and sat on his flight decks for several hours including landings (back when that was permitted), I can imagine all options would have been seriously considered and prepared. Until he got it onto the ground he would have had no idea of the cause or the scope of the damage. Preparing the passengers for all possibilities while he had the opportunity would be exactly what I would expect of a professional captain.

Given his training and experience in putting RAN A4s down onto a floating runway, he would be very aware of the danger and issues involved in flying a damaged aircraft to a safe ending. From his description of flying the A4, it was probably much like controlling an aerodynamically challenged house brick, so a damaged 744 may have been a challenge that brought him back to his flying roots. But of course a 744 does not include an ejection seat for each person on board.

 

[straitman]

Lindsay,

I have seen nothing at this time. I'll look at the ATSB & Pprune web sites later this afternoon and report back.

Got to go.

The ATSB report is at 200804689

The text is simply,
'It is reported that the aircraft diverted to Manila with damage to the fuselage.
The investigation is continuing.'

The discussion on Pprune is all about the physics of oxygen cylinders and suffice to say adds nothing of use to the average person.

 

[Platy]

The actual passengers I referred to above also described a sudden drop in air temperature within the cabin. This suggests that anyone with any sense (including crew) would realise that there had been a significant breach in hull integrity.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Some actual UK based passengers from the flight are staying locally and have shared their experiences at our local. They claim that the pilot advised they may have to ditch the aircraft, but would attempt to reach MNL. People were genuinely very scared.

Platy - not taking away anything yoou have offered, however the passengers recorded on the video in cabin looked fairly relaxed and not like they have been told of competing alternatives. I would take this 'pub' talk with a grain of salt. Also first time this has come up in any forum including interviews at MNL with passengers after they landed and then back in MEL a day later.

It would pay to be circumspect in this instance.

Cheers SPRUCE :shock:

 

[Sprucegoose]

The actual passengers I referred to above also described a sudden drop in air temperature within the cabin. This suggests that anyone with any sense (including crew) would realise that there had been a significant breach in hull integrity.

http://www.amsanz.org.nz/avmedia/24/am24_2Decompression.pdf

interesting article on decompressions - there are some insidious silent incidents as well.

cheers SPRUCE :shock:

 

[straitman]

http://www.amsanz.org.nz/avmedia/24/am24_2Decompression.pdf

interesting article on decompressions - there are some insidious silent incidents as well.

cheers SPRUCE :shock:

There are well know incidents where this has occurred. Three that come to mind are:
Payne Stewart (Golfer) in the USA in his Lear Jet.
King-air from WA to Qld
FA-18 in the NT

In all cases the a/c was seen to continue flying with unconscious occupants until fuel ran out.

Another interesting link.

Cabin Decompression and Hypoxia

I've done the RAAF tests though when we did it we went higher than 25000 ft.

I also posted in post #92 earlier that refers to the difference between a rapid and a slow decompression.

 

[oz_mark]

http://www.amsanz.org.nz/avmedia/24/am24_2Decompression.pdf

interesting article on decompressions - there are some insidious silent incidents as well.

cheers SPRUCE :shock:

From page 3

Two serious incidents appeared to have been caused by interference with aircraft systems by passengers using laptop computers.

:shock::shock:​

 

[Platy]

Platy - not taking away anything yoou have offered, however the passengers recorded on the video in cabin looked fairly relaxed and not like they have been told of competing alternatives. I would take this 'pub' talk with a grain of salt. Also first time this has come up in any forum including interviews at MNL with passengers after they landed and then back in MEL a day later.

It would pay to be circumspect in this instance.

Cheers SPRUCE :shock:

No worries. I am merely reporting what was said and not vouching for accuracy.

I am sure that individual perceptions of those on board and their psychological/emotional reactions would differ widely.

I am also sure that Qantas has done its best to sanitise and manipulate media reports wherever possible so the "truth" probably lies somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of tales that make the light of day.

Incidentally, I don't necessarily discount pub talk outright. I have had some very insightful conversations with very senior key players in events such as the sinking of the Belgrano (ARA General Belgrano - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and Children Overboard Senate Inquiry (Children Overboard Affair - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
over a few beers and wines respectively.

For what it's worth the QF30 pax concerned were sober family types rather than a group of tanked up piss heads.

 

[QF WP]

There are well know incidents where this has occurred. Three that come to mind are:
Payne Stewart (Golfer) in the USA in his Lear Jet.
King-air from WA to Qld
FA-18 in the NT

In all cases the a/c was seen to continue flying with unconscious occupants until fuel ran out.

The other one that I recall is the plane that did this in Greece, but it was reported that one FA did make it into the coughpit and was seen at the controls by the fighters sent up to monitor the flight when it was realised it was in trouble....but he lapsed into unconsciousness before he could do anything. Was on "Air Crash Invesigation". My wife thinks I am wired strangely - I am naturally curious about the crashes yet I enjoy flying

That just sends a shudder down my spine :shock:

 

[Alanslegal]

Helios airlines incident;

Cypriot plane with 121 on board crashes in Greece - Wikinews, the free news source

 

[straitman]

The other one that I recall is the plane that did this in Greece, but it was reported that one FA did make it into the coughpit and was seen at the controls by the fighters sent up to monitor the flight when it was realised it was in trouble....but he lapsed into unconsciousness before he could do anything. Was on "Air Crash Invesigation". My wife thinks I am wired strangely - I am naturally curious about the crashes yet I enjoy flying

That just sends a shudder down my spine :shock:

Helios airlines incident;

Cypriot plane with 121 on board crashes in Greece - Wikinews, the free news source

I forgot that one.

There are actually a quite a few more documented though it's still way and above safer than driving a car.

 

[oz_mark]

I forgot that one.

There are actually a quite a few more documented though it's still way and above safer than driving a car.

Although for most of us, our cars don't suffer from decompression