PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Air Dolomiti ATR catches fire in Munich (25 Aug 2008)
Old 27th Aug 2008, 11:43
  #27 (permalink)  
Capt Pit Bull
 
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Can't help feeling folks are being a little overcritical about this evac.

There's only one Cabin crewmember at each end of the aircraft, so in the early stages you can't have somone controlling both outside and inside at both ends. On balance, retaining control inside is far more critical, better to have a large disorganised gaggle outside than a neat group of 3 or 4 outside and the rest inside dying.

By and large, people exited smoothly to the rear, and kept going. Some walked, some ran.

At the front, some moved away, some helped others out, which with those type 3 exits isn't a bad thing (as White Knight and I can testify to). Later on, although it looks like people are drifting back towards the fire, actually they are moving away from the aircraft, and towards the camera, crossing its field of view.

Getting out of the flight deck on the ATR isn't that easy either, so getting a pilot out in the early stages just isn't going to happen.

With 3 or four cabin crew, say a 737 or equivalent, you can have crew outside to organise. With an ATR thats just not going to happen.

What we see here is about as good as its going to get unless you happen to be carrying an unusual passenger load (e.g. all young and fit, or all military etc).

pb
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