[TheForge] O/T Survivor

[Ralph]

At 06:20 PM 1/2/04 -0800, you wrote:


>John Husvar wrote:
> >
> > GHS wrote:
>
> > Explosive decompression is a myth, folks. Gad, even Mythbusters did a
> > show on the subject. Status of myth: Busted. (Discovery Channel, IIRC)
>
>         From a bullet hole, yes, from major structural failure, no.
>
>         Remember that flight in Hawaii about ten years ago where the
>         entire section of the hull decided to leave the scene?  Several
>         people were sucked out including at least one right-side row
>         of seat-belted passengers.  The photos of the jet were
>         incredible.  It was as if Boeing had built a convertible
>         737 for those balmy, sunny Hawaiian days :)

Photos were nothing. Seeing the plane in real life was pretty awe 
inspiring. It was amazing that the pilot managed to keep control and land 
the plane.


>         Hollywood depictions are, of course, ridiculous.
>
> > Getting a whole window to blow out would be a little more difficult.
> > They puncture more like a car windshield.
>
>         Anad they are double-paned with Lexan inside.  Being
>         at "room temperature" makes it unlikely that it would
>         shatter, so even if the outer glass went, the inner is
>         likely to survive.
> >
> > Anybody remember the airliner over the pacific, out of Honolulu, that
> > lost 1/3 of its cabin roof at 30,000 feet? One fatality when a flight
> > attendant was blown out of the cabin by the 400+ MPH slipstream, several
> > minor injuries, and a safe return to Honolulu.
>
>         This is the one I refer to.  More than one fatality, unless
>         the 70s were truly better to me than I realize.  I recall
>         an entire row of seating being ripped away, the passengers
>         going bye-bye.  Still, pretty incredible and a credit to
>         the quality of Boeing's manufacturing.

Yes several folks were pulled out. One who was still strapped into their seat.



Ralph



"Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision."