Originally Posted by
dixi188
...I saw an MD80 push back and then the tail cone separated, (oops!). Lots of people standing around and wondering what to do.
I wonder how long it takes to re-install the tail cone, does it have explosive bolts?
Had a caterer drop the tailcone on a DC9-30 years ago at an outstation when he got hold of the wrong handle while trying to drop the aft stairs. The mechs put the tailcone on a belt loader, shimmed it with sandbags and raised it into position. They were able to reattach it in about 30 minutes because the slide didn't blow.