[TheForge] O/T Survivor

[John Husvar]

Ralph wrote:
> 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.
> 

Ah, OK. I may be confusing this incident with another, or just having a 
CRAFT (Can't Remember  A Flippin' Thing) Syndrome. what the heck? If 
there were some metalsmiths aboard, we could just close up the hole by 
forging a patch over it. :)

Don't give passengers guns, Give 'em hammers! :)


-- 
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in one pretty and well-preserved piece.
One should rather skid in broadside, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW!  WHAT A RIDE!"