1st Class PAX jumps from DLH B747 in Mexico
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1st Class PAX jumps from DLH B747 in Mexico
Just read in Flight International that a 1st class passenger jumped from a taxiing Lufthansa B747 upper deck in Mexico (28th Feb).
Report didn't really say anything else other than the slide deployed, the passenger was caught by security and was "confused" but not really anything else.
Had a quick look on here but not found any further info. Has anyone else any knowledge of this incident??
Cejk
Report didn't really say anything else other than the slide deployed, the passenger was caught by security and was "confused" but not really anything else.
Had a quick look on here but not found any further info. Has anyone else any knowledge of this incident??
Cejk
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Any 747 drivers who can tell me whether it IS possible to open an emergency door when the cabin is pressurized, or does the Jumbo pressurize after lift-off? I always understood the Boeing 'plug-type' doors would not open when pressurized.
Warning Toxic!
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Yes you can open the door. The upper deck door is not plug, it hinges open at the top and is powered. Only very minor pressurisation on the ground.
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Presumably the same as the 737 NG windows, I guess? A potential problem if the c/crew are not on the ball. I assume the pax would have got a bit close to an engine?
aka Capt PPRuNe
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U/D door has a a lock that activates in flight to prevent inadvertent operation of the operating handles. If the lock fails to activate after take off it's possible to open an U/D door when cabin diff pressure is low. (less than 2psi I think). Obviously, on the ground, even after engine start, the door can be operated (common sense). In automatic mode there is a gas bottle powered assist which swings the door up.
(Ask me again in six months and you'll probably get one of those confused looks!)
(Ask me again in six months and you'll probably get one of those confused looks!)
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Also while ground sensing is active both outflow valves are modulated to full open. Zero pressurisation effect on the ground. That way any main cabin door (main deck plug type or UD doors on stops) can be opened on ground during emergency....and possibly otherwise as has just been demonstrated apparently.
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Obviously, on the ground, even after engine start, the door can be operated (common sense)
PS I WILL ask you again in six months.
aka Capt PPRuNe
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As far as I remember there is nothing to stop anyone opening the exits, armed or otherwise, on the B737-300 or 700 whilst on the ground, depressurised, engines running or not. The evac QRH does require the F/O to make sure that the outflow valve is open but under most circumstances it would be anyway... wouldn't it?
(Then again, it's at least 6 months since I last read the B737 QRH in depth so hence the confused look!)
(Then again, it's at least 6 months since I last read the B737 QRH in depth so hence the confused look!)
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Not quite that simple!! It is all very complicated, depending on which pressurisation controller is fitted. On the ground, the one you probaly knew (DCPCS? - no flt/grd switch) has the outflow valve fully open, and the cabin unpressurised (that's progress!?) while the CPCS has it mostly closed, pressurising the cabin to 1.25 psi when the Flt/Grd switch is in 'Flt' (you can feel it on the ears). Hence I was always told that the doors were 'plugged' on the ground with the CPCS, needing the depressurisation to facilitate opening. (DV window was quickest).
Why wait 6 months to be confused? It only takes me a few minutes.................
PS Don't make the print any fainter for me old eyes.
WTH. Altogether an amazing event! Should sharpen up the cabin crew.
Why wait 6 months to be confused? It only takes me a few minutes.................
PS Don't make the print any fainter for me old eyes.
WTH. Altogether an amazing event! Should sharpen up the cabin crew.
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Just out of interest... I cannot remember any "real" 747 (pax) evac involving U/D slides. Am I wrong or this guy can now claim something from Boeing as the first man who prove it works?
The Reverend
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BOAC, you are correct in saying that the airplane is slightly pressurized on the ground with AUTO mode selected on the pressurization control panel and all doors closed. In fact cabin altitude will be 70 feet maximum below field elevation at sea level which equates to approx. less than 1.25 psi. I have never tried it but I'm fairly certain that cabin doors can be opened at that differential. By the way, there are no DV windows on the 747.
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Just out of interest... I cannot remember any "real" 747 (pax) evac involving U/D slides. Am I wrong or this guy can now claim something from Boeing as the first man who prove it works?
Cheers,
TheOddOne
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Just as an aside, from someone in total ignorance, can someone tell me how long it takes for these slides to be re-installed etc for the a/c to be serviceable again - assuming of course someone qualified was at hand?
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They don't get re-installed. A spare can be fitted if available. The blown slide will take at least a day in the shop for inspection and re-packing. Longer if repairs are required.
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Evac with no injuries
Evac with no injuries.
Going slightly off the B747 UD solo evac and, adding toTheOddOne's post,
There was a deH Comet 4B aircraft evacuation on the 25 March 1978 at LGW where 95 pax plus crew all left the aircraft via chutes in 33 seconds (ATC tower timing) and there were no injuries at all. Just for the record.
Whilst no where near the B747 shute exit level heights, it was a full blooded evacuation after the aircraft had landed from declaring an emergency (fire warning, No2 engine).
Cheers
TG
Going slightly off the B747 UD solo evac and, adding toTheOddOne's post,
I've only seen one evac where no-one got hurt getting out, an F27, they were able to just step out as normal.
Whilst no where near the B747 shute exit level heights, it was a full blooded evacuation after the aircraft had landed from declaring an emergency (fire warning, No2 engine).
Cheers
TG
LH must attract them!
My wife was a sandwich mechanic on a flight back in the early 80s (I tagged along for the ride) where a pax sleepwalked over to 3R and tried to open it between JKT and SYD. All hell broke loose and they restrained the chappy and put him in F to keep him out of the way of the rest of the punters who were all for a lynching.
All the vacationing LH mechanics from HAM on the flight plus the FE agreed that nothing could happen, all locks still in place etc etc. Aircraft touches down in SYD and the door starts swinging open. Said wife flies across from 3L and applies her 45k as a counter weight, joined 3 seconds later by 90k of steward from 2R, having set a 747 hurdling record in the process.
Slide didn't deploy, but people claimed to have seen the runway sliding under them at a significant rate of knots through the gap.
Sheepish looking mechanics and FE. Never heard what happened to the perpetrator.
My wife was a sandwich mechanic on a flight back in the early 80s (I tagged along for the ride) where a pax sleepwalked over to 3R and tried to open it between JKT and SYD. All hell broke loose and they restrained the chappy and put him in F to keep him out of the way of the rest of the punters who were all for a lynching.
All the vacationing LH mechanics from HAM on the flight plus the FE agreed that nothing could happen, all locks still in place etc etc. Aircraft touches down in SYD and the door starts swinging open. Said wife flies across from 3L and applies her 45k as a counter weight, joined 3 seconds later by 90k of steward from 2R, having set a 747 hurdling record in the process.
Slide didn't deploy, but people claimed to have seen the runway sliding under them at a significant rate of knots through the gap.
Sheepish looking mechanics and FE. Never heard what happened to the perpetrator.