Update on Helios

[spagiola]

The marathon thread on Helios seems to have sunk, but rather than add to its unwieldy 150+ pages, I thought it might be better to start a new thread.

Here's the latest update on Helios (http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/11/15/Navigation/189/202872/Helios+probe+reveals+similar+cases+.html) in Flight, which is very much along the line that many here have supposed: failure of pressurization, and apparent crew confusion in recognizing this until it was too late. Nothing really new in this sense, but a recognition that there have been many similar cases, which fortunately had better outcomes.

[banana head]

2 similar incidents to EI reg B737's in recent years:


Aer Lingus (http://www.aaiu.ie/upload/general/3504-0.pdf)

Note in particular points 3.1, 3.6, 3.8 and 3.9 in the conclusions section of the above report:

3.1 The aircraft pressurisation system was fully serviceable at the time of the incident.

3.6 The F/O recognized the possible on-set of incapacitation and as a result used his oxygen mask. The Captain did not go on his oxygen at any stage during the flight, nor did he feel a personal need to do so.

3.8 With the F/O partially on oxygen and the Captain not choosing to go on oxygen, the possibility existed, whereby the Captain could have become incapacitated, as the aircraft continued its un-pressurised climb.

3.9 The continued persistence of the SCCM in keeping the flight crew informed of the cabin situation was a major factor in ensuring the safe outcome of this serious incident.

also

RyanAir (http://www.aaiu.ie/upload/general/6693-0.pdf)



.... and still the B737 flies around without any visual or tactile warning of an excessive cabin altitude......:confused: