Qantas 744 Depressurisation
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Can anyone confirm that the decompression passenger safety announcement was activated?
Rgds.
NSEU
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ATSB Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE
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2008/26
Investigation into Boeing 747- 400 depressurisation and diversion to Manila, Philippines
29 July 2008
The ATSB is leading this safety investigation with the assistance of a number of other organisations and agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration of the USA, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and Qantas and Boeing.
Yesterday the aircraft was moved to a hangar. This will provide a safer and more optimal working environment for the investigation team.
The remainder of the freight on the aircraft has been progressively examined and removed from around the area of the rupture. This has allowed the investigation team full access to the area. The team have also been examining and clearing the area adjacent to the disrupted right cabin door.
The investigation team are in the process of examining the interior of the cabin including the onboard oxygen system, the passenger masks and portable crew oxygen cylinders. The aircraft outer panels around the ruptured area have also been removed.
A number of components and parts of components are being retained for further examination and analysis at the ATSB engineering facilities in Canberra.
Last night the aircraft cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which records crew conversations, radio traffic and cockpit ambient sounds, was downloaded by ATSB specialists in Canberra. Unfortunately, the standard two hour recording which works on an endless loop principle did not contain the event. The oldest recording commences after the descent and diversion into Manila, so the event itself appears to have been overwritten. However, the information that has been captured on the CVR may provide valuable insights into the flight crews handling of the situation following the depressurisation.
The aircraft flight data recorder (FDR), which nominally records 25 hours of data, is being downloaded today at the ATSB Canberra facilities. The specialist team should know in the next day or two if the recording contains valid data.
The investigation team plan to continue the examination and collection of evidence from the aircraft. ATSB investigators in Australia are gathering data from the operator. Interviews with both flight crew and cabin crew are being conducted today in Melbourne.
A reminder that the ATSB requests that any passengers that experienced issues during the flight, or those who photographed or videoed the incident, contacts us via email at [email protected]
Adjust font size:
2008/26
Investigation into Boeing 747- 400 depressurisation and diversion to Manila, Philippines
29 July 2008
The ATSB is leading this safety investigation with the assistance of a number of other organisations and agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration of the USA, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia and Qantas and Boeing.
Yesterday the aircraft was moved to a hangar. This will provide a safer and more optimal working environment for the investigation team.
The remainder of the freight on the aircraft has been progressively examined and removed from around the area of the rupture. This has allowed the investigation team full access to the area. The team have also been examining and clearing the area adjacent to the disrupted right cabin door.
The investigation team are in the process of examining the interior of the cabin including the onboard oxygen system, the passenger masks and portable crew oxygen cylinders. The aircraft outer panels around the ruptured area have also been removed.
A number of components and parts of components are being retained for further examination and analysis at the ATSB engineering facilities in Canberra.
Last night the aircraft cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which records crew conversations, radio traffic and cockpit ambient sounds, was downloaded by ATSB specialists in Canberra. Unfortunately, the standard two hour recording which works on an endless loop principle did not contain the event. The oldest recording commences after the descent and diversion into Manila, so the event itself appears to have been overwritten. However, the information that has been captured on the CVR may provide valuable insights into the flight crews handling of the situation following the depressurisation.
The aircraft flight data recorder (FDR), which nominally records 25 hours of data, is being downloaded today at the ATSB Canberra facilities. The specialist team should know in the next day or two if the recording contains valid data.
The investigation team plan to continue the examination and collection of evidence from the aircraft. ATSB investigators in Australia are gathering data from the operator. Interviews with both flight crew and cabin crew are being conducted today in Melbourne.
A reminder that the ATSB requests that any passengers that experienced issues during the flight, or those who photographed or videoed the incident, contacts us via email at [email protected]
Join Date: Jun 2008
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No , Tearstoppers in Boeing fuselage frames prevent crack failure progression. This is indicative of catastropic failure of a type expected with pressure vessel internal weakness and or non crystalline metal structure i.e. fatigue related or manufacture deficient. Probably undetectable at time of manufacture. Would be good to retrieve the errant green pill.
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Aus Media quiet on ATSB release
Interesting that ABC and News Radio are silent on the ATSB release.
They have been canning QF all day, added to by the ADL return last night.
Perhaps they don't want to hear the real story as it is not spectacular enough?
Perhaps they will report on the 737ER over the Himilayas instead
They have been canning QF all day, added to by the ADL return last night.
Perhaps they don't want to hear the real story as it is not spectacular enough?
Perhaps they will report on the 737ER over the Himilayas instead
Evertonian
QF damage control/passenger monitoring
My Brother in Law has been called almost every day by a QF representative. They are making counselling available for those who need it.
He has also been informed that the full cost of his airfare will be refunded & he will be issued a free ticket to the tune of the same amount. I suggested that when the calls stop, he start the litigation!
PS. To all the Journo's that contacted me (who all clearly identified themselves...thank you) I have asked if he wished to speak to the media, but he has declined.
He has also been informed that the full cost of his airfare will be refunded & he will be issued a free ticket to the tune of the same amount. I suggested that when the calls stop, he start the litigation!
PS. To all the Journo's that contacted me (who all clearly identified themselves...thank you) I have asked if he wished to speak to the media, but he has declined.
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Buster
As a long time squatter, I have finally been stung into action.
I sincerely trust you are trying a little bit of humour regarding the litigation.
QANTAS has obviously been trying in regard to your Brother in Law, if you can be believed. Part of a well rehearsed incident management plan.
What would the litigation involve.?..failure to drive him into the South China Sea at high speed so that his family could sue for even more?
Gotta be a buck in that.
As a long time squatter, I have finally been stung into action.
I sincerely trust you are trying a little bit of humour regarding the litigation.
QANTAS has obviously been trying in regard to your Brother in Law, if you can be believed. Part of a well rehearsed incident management plan.
What would the litigation involve.?..failure to drive him into the South China Sea at high speed so that his family could sue for even more?
Gotta be a buck in that.
Cunning Artificer
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Interesting Media Release. No mention of exploded aircraft oxygen cylinders or shrapnel in the aircraft cabin, only that they are examining the oxygen systems and they have retained some components and "parts of components". They do mention the area around the "disrupted right cabin door" but they don't say in what way it is "disrupted" - though we may surmise.
I'm still aghast at the problems an unprecedented exploding oxygen cylinder would bring to our industry. No doubt the investigators are too, which is probably why they're holding their peace.
Meanwhile we who will have to pick up the pieces as it were, and deal with the aftermath, can carry on trying to puzzle out how a cylinder that was firmly installed in its bracket in a secure location, (for six months according to one post) could suddenly and spontaneously burst.
WTF?
I'm still aghast at the problems an unprecedented exploding oxygen cylinder would bring to our industry. No doubt the investigators are too, which is probably why they're holding their peace.
Meanwhile we who will have to pick up the pieces as it were, and deal with the aftermath, can carry on trying to puzzle out how a cylinder that was firmly installed in its bracket in a secure location, (for six months according to one post) could suddenly and spontaneously burst.
WTF?
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Guys, as I told you. It was an exploding oxygen cylinder, and unless there was some dodgy handling of the cylinder by QF staff at the installation or maintenance stage, (unlikely at this time) then the upshot of this event should not be a dimunition of the reputation of QF's operational standards, rather, the complete opposite.
I believe QF were the unlucky recipients of a one off event, completely out of their control, and that the crew handled it with aplomb. Time will tell if I am correct..
I believe QF were the unlucky recipients of a one off event, completely out of their control, and that the crew handled it with aplomb. Time will tell if I am correct..
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I believe QF were the unlucky recipients of a one off event, completely out of their control, and that the crew handled it with aplomb. Time will tell if I am correct..
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If the oxygen bottle assembly was only fitted to the aircraft 6 months ago, then who overhauled it and did QANTAS trained engineers fit it or were they contractors working for QANTAS. I ask this as a lot of QF people are under pressure at the moment.
As a previous post stated, if any problem occurs in flight I’d want a QANTAS crew working the problem through. Again, well done Tech and Cabin crew.
As a previous post stated, if any problem occurs in flight I’d want a QANTAS crew working the problem through. Again, well done Tech and Cabin crew.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Aircraft had been flying under that MEL for max 10 days,...... we are getting closer to the truth ..... keep searching the truth is out there.
Just need to start connecting the dots now..... or have they already done that and need more time before telling the world what actually happened?
Some people may have to be protected first???
Just need to start connecting the dots now..... or have they already done that and need more time before telling the world what actually happened?
Some people may have to be protected first???
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Rumour has it that half (exact percentage not known) the bottle went up through the cargo ceiling (into the cabin), and the other half went through the side of the fuselage.
Can someone pull together the main aspects of the event?
Many have expressed what happens if a valve is knocked off and you get a cylinder acting like a rocket.
Many have at length observed that if the cylinder exploded then there appears little shrapnel type damage in the area.
Am I to surmise that bits of the valve etc went upwards and the whole intact cylinder popped out through the hull and took the fairing with it?
The latest press release does not say much to add to understanding what happened.
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Are QANTAS aircraft flying around with MEL’s that they don’t have personnel or time to rectify. Operating with MEL’s is still operating within the maintenance limits allowed, isn't.
