Coffe, Tea or Ox Mask

Ya gotta love the some of the sound bites from the news sometimes.
 
CNN reported a Southwest flight where the cabin developed a rupture about 1 foot wide and 3 to 4 feet long.  So, the pax could see straight to the sky. 
A full on decompression resulted, ox masks were deployed.  No doubt a terrifying experience.
 
Luckily, all aboard are fine.   The plane diverted and landed at a military field.
 
So, here is the quote from the FAA.
 
"We do not know the cause of the decompression"
 
 
So, I'm thinking....although I'm not an aeronautical engineer, my first guess would be the 3 foot hole in the cabin is a likely candidate....duh.
 
Maybe he could have stated that just a bit differently.

MMMM..methinks the PR guy needs a bit of a hand there...

mike_mccue


"a Southwest flight where the cabin developed a rupture about 1 foot wide and 3 to 4 feet long."

"It was bapu's fault.  He's a Stupid Face." ~Mooch

ROFL

Well, I am rather over sized. :-)

On the other other hand...

http://www.goodorient.com/Wooden_OX_Mask_P19415

I thought about materials fatigue being a factor but at 15 years age that particular plane seems relatively new.

I'm imagining dwindling budgets for thorough inspection is related to the fact that the first notice of the *problem* was the incident.

best regards,
mike
 

MNorman


You haven't flown in a while, have you?  :-)

Not sure if you meant me.


FWIW, I flew Southwest just this past February. I got lots and lots of peanuts on that flight. *


*for free

bapu

MNorman


their planes.  On the other hand, with the exception of that 5x1 foot hole, the aircraft held together nicely, and injuries were liimited to one (a flight attendant with minor injuries).

Great!


Not everyone got their peanuts then?

When's the last time you flew?  you don't get peanuts anymore!  least not unless you pay for them!

Beagle

bapu

MNorman


their planes.  On the other hand, with the exception of that 5x1 foot hole, the aircraft held together nicely, and injuries were liimited to one (a flight attendant with minor injuries).

Great!


Not everyone got their peanuts then?

When's the last time you flew?  you don't get peanuts anymore!  least not unless you pay for them!

Answered.

mike_mccue



"You haven't flown in a while, have you?  :-)"


2 weeks ago... but I really dislike commercial flying.

I can see that you've already spotted me as a Kaptan conspiracy theorist. :-)

I grew up in Miami where a lot of my dad's buddies were old Eastern guys.

One of my school friend's dad is long retired but still consults to FAA for engineering forensics.



My dad owned a 1946 7AC that he personally kept in better than new condition.

The old timers used to come out and drool when he'd land on their grass strips for a glass of ice tea.


:-)

So you got peanuts then?

Southwest is still giving away FREE peanuts????

MY GOSH!!! THE HORROR!!!!

I was/am perfectly willing to defer to your expertise on this subject but yes, it was my impression that the 15 year 737 in question isn't very old when compared to the "fleet".

I'm glad to think I wasn't too mistaken.

all the best,
mike

Nope, you're absolutely right, it isn't.  In 2006, the average age of a commercial aircraft was a little over 12 years:

 http://www.bts.gov/publications/transportation_statistics_annual_report/2008/html/chapter_03/table_03_01_01.html

Many are well over 20, and many military aircraft expected to fly over 40:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_average_life_expectancy_for_a_commercial_Aircraft

As the above addresses, it isn't just age, but numbers of bending cycles (for the fuselage, pressurizations, for the landing gear, landings, etc).  Corrosion also can play a role, as can inappropriate fasteners (as in the Titanic), maintenance errors, etc. 

But, consider that in 2009, the fatal accident rate for U.S. Scheduled Airline flilghts was about 1 per 17 million flight hours (50 deaths):

http://www3.ntsb.gov/aviation/Table1.htm

In terms of driving safety, this is the equivalent of driving over 540 years (25K miles per year, avg 40 mph = 625 hr/year) without a fatality.  When someone says flying is safer than driving, it's a pretty large understatement...

Jonbouy


Flying is perfectly safe.

It's hitting the ground that does most damage.

 
 
The difference between a crash and a landing is perspective.  For a crash you require injuries or property damage (other than your plane) or, most importantly, witnesses.
 
If you have non of the above, no matter how bad,  it is a landing.  And that is how you fill out the NASA form.