A319 FO windshield blowout

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Europe

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 111
From: Somewhere over the rainbow
Thank you for your updates Shimin. Very good airmanship and flying skill from the captain.
I don't understand this part quoted below; The cockpit and cabin are not sealed and insulated on the Airbus. From the passenger report, it appears the mask fell out pretty quickly after the loud bang.
I wounder if having the cockpit door closed would delay much the depressurisation and the drop in temperature?

I don't understand this part quoted below; The cockpit and cabin are not sealed and insulated on the Airbus. From the passenger report, it appears the mask fell out pretty quickly after the loud bang.
I wounder if having the cockpit door closed would delay much the depressurisation and the drop in temperature?
Reporter: In such a high altitude, oxygen also very thin?
Liu: Like the cabin, when the cockpit loses pressure, the oxygen mask will automatically fall off, hypoxia problem is not big issue. And the cockpit and cabin are sealed and insulated, so the loss of pressure and cooling in cockpit do not affect passengers.
Liu: Like the cabin, when the cockpit loses pressure, the oxygen mask will automatically fall off, hypoxia problem is not big issue. And the cockpit and cabin are sealed and insulated, so the loss of pressure and cooling in cockpit do not affect passengers.
Thread Starter

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Another plane
Translating Chinese to English especially "aviation language" is very difficult. Shimin is doing a great job. I think the meaning/context here has just been slightly lost in translation.
The armored cockpit door has a large blow out panel exactly for this type of situation.
The armored cockpit door has a large blow out panel exactly for this type of situation.
Last edited by Suvarnabhumi; 15th May 2018 at 07:21.

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,724
Likes: 2,093
From: Reading, UK

Can anyone point to some conclusive evidence either way ?
While it may be tempting to draw parallels with the BA One-Eleven incident, that occurred on the first flight after the windscreen had been installed with the wrong bolts. It should be easy enough to establish whether or not the A319 had just had a windscreen replacement.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
From: what U.S. calls ´old Europe´
As pointed out already, the Airbus design is different, the windscreen is larger than the opening and installed from the inside. It is not held in position by tension bolts and retainers.
The only way to blow out such a windscreen is if it structurally fails completely (all layers).
PPG Datasheet for A319
PPG Datasheet for 737 (as Example for a through-bolt/retainer design)
Nevertheless, a recent replacement may still be the reason for it to fail.
The only way to blow out such a windscreen is if it structurally fails completely (all layers).
PPG Datasheet for A319
PPG Datasheet for 737 (as Example for a through-bolt/retainer design)
Nevertheless, a recent replacement may still be the reason for it to fail.
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: 60 north
Fantastic Aimanship!!
Congratulations to Captain and Crew.
Thanks to Shimin for Excellent translation.
I am betting a Dollar the wind shield was recently replaced.
With regards to who made the airframe , give me a Fkn break.
I have had one Beech 200 front windshield crak with a loud bang, only outer layer, It happens on curved heated ones. Not the Americans fault, !!!! happens!
The next I had was at FL280 from City to Glasgow and ca 8 bolts protruding out after a change by the wrong mechanics, not wrong bolts. British AOC !!
I have had the honor to train hundreds of Hainan pilots in the Sim on the D328-Jet, generally excellent pilots as proven here!
Looking forward to know the cause.
Wonder how helpful the different " Boxes" was. I suppose it shoves that as long as the basics works it is all always possible to return safely to earth!!
Again, Brilliant handling.
Respecfully
Cpt B
Thanks to Shimin for Excellent translation.
I am betting a Dollar the wind shield was recently replaced.
With regards to who made the airframe , give me a Fkn break.
I have had one Beech 200 front windshield crak with a loud bang, only outer layer, It happens on curved heated ones. Not the Americans fault, !!!! happens!
The next I had was at FL280 from City to Glasgow and ca 8 bolts protruding out after a change by the wrong mechanics, not wrong bolts. British AOC !!
I have had the honor to train hundreds of Hainan pilots in the Sim on the D328-Jet, generally excellent pilots as proven here!
Looking forward to know the cause.
Wonder how helpful the different " Boxes" was. I suppose it shoves that as long as the basics works it is all always possible to return safely to earth!!
Again, Brilliant handling.
Respecfully
Cpt B

Joined: Dec 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 990
Likes: 554
From: US
I find it mind boggling that anyone should question a major airline Captains ability to hand fly a approach without automation in VFR conditions. If they can’t they should not be sitting in the front of the aircraft.
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver

Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 486
From: England
Sailvi767
I assume you are not a pilot. Any captain can hand-fly an approach in VFR, yes, but if you read the thread, there was a LITTLE more going on. It's when things become non-normal that the real ability is found
Full marks to the Flight Crew, and I gather the Cabin Crew were reassuring the passengers. Full marks to them too.
I find it mind boggling that anyone should question a major airline Captains ability to hand fly a approach without automation in VFR conditions. If they can’t they should not be sitting in the front of the aircraft.
Full marks to the Flight Crew, and I gather the Cabin Crew were reassuring the passengers. Full marks to them too.

Joined: Jun 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 101
From: Róisín Dubh
Yeah real run of the mill stuff that.....

Joined: Dec 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 990
Likes: 554
From: US
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Luxembourg
No, B747 windshield is external installation, not plug type.
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: England
The Captain's account shows that he couldn't use instruments, and had to fly visually and manually. Given that he had to stay pretty high to avoid mountains...what would have been the outcome if this had happened at night?

Joined: Jun 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 101
From: Róisín Dubh
added for content

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 37
From: Australia
The armored cockpit door has a large blow out panel exactly for this type of situation.

I'm not familiar with the A319 or whatever it was, but normally the blowout panel goes in the opposite direction.

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 25
From: China
Update: Hero captain’s wife: Hope there will be no heroes needed in China’s civil aviation.
"We still hope that there will be no heroes in CAAC. After all, safety is the most important. The hero shows a special thing." On the afternoon of 15, later 2 o'clock, Zou Han said in an exclusive interview with China News Network at her home in Chongqing. At this time, his husband Liu Chuanjian as "hero captain" is still hotly praised and celebrated nationwide.
"When he was landing at Chengdu, I called him. He replied that he was busy. " Zou Han told the reporter that until the early morning of today, the husband was free to call her to ensure her that he was not injured. But he didn't let her go to Chengdu to meet him.
"I'm not very worried about him. He has been flying in the AF and Sichuan Airlines for many years. I really believe in his technology. His character is calm and steady." Zou Han pointed that he has flown every top plateau and high-high plateau route, including Lhasa, Daocheng, Kangding and other top plateau airports. As a flight instructor, he has done a lot of emergency training,including window shield bursting since his AF pilot career.
Liu Chuanjian exercises every day and runs in the community. "I joked, you don't have to go." He said that takes him to fly on the high plateau. Zou Han said he was lucky this time. "The aero chart shows that the aircraft is still near Chengdu. If the plane had entered the high-high plateau, it would be very difficult." Zou made her comments.
Sister Liu Chuanping said that their father was a worker in Chongqing cement factory and mother was a farmer. The family had two daughters and one son. When the elder uncle passed away so early, his parents brought up the three kids of the uncle's family. With six children in the family, the family burden was so heavy. Liu Chuanjian helped his parents since as a child. "The children who grew up in the countryside knew hard, so he cherished the career of the pilot." Sister Liu Chuanping said.
Born in 1972, Liu Chuanjian spent time of elementary school and junior high school in in this rural town. In Liu Chuanping's memory, her younger brother did homework so quickly and always got the top ranking. In the early 1990s, he was admitted to the AF flight academy. After graduated from the academy in 1995, Liu Chuanjian stayed in the school as the flight instructor for ten years, and then entered Sichuan Airlines. (My words: In China, only the best students can stay in school as teachers). Zou Han said that her husband was a simple man. No smoke, drink, play cards and majiang. He only drink tea, reading and do gardening at home.
Both husband and wife's careers are in the industry. There are two plane models on the side of TV in the living room. The bookcase is also full of Liu Chuanjian's notes and aviation books, such as "air transport services in the remote areas", "world aviation safety and accident analysis", and Chesley Sallenberg's "Highest Duty". "We both read carefully the Highest Duty." (my words: This book is translated into Chinese version by Mr. Yang, the retired director general of civil aviation administration. Mr. Yang is a senior chief pilot himself). Because of career, Zou has seen many plane-crash movies. As for the offical announcement that this landing is going to be made into a movie, "in my personal opinion, we still hope that there will be no heroes needed in China civil aviation." She made her comments. “We need more cautious and no small matter in the public safety”.
(Please forgive my poor English)
"We still hope that there will be no heroes in CAAC. After all, safety is the most important. The hero shows a special thing." On the afternoon of 15, later 2 o'clock, Zou Han said in an exclusive interview with China News Network at her home in Chongqing. At this time, his husband Liu Chuanjian as "hero captain" is still hotly praised and celebrated nationwide.
"When he was landing at Chengdu, I called him. He replied that he was busy. " Zou Han told the reporter that until the early morning of today, the husband was free to call her to ensure her that he was not injured. But he didn't let her go to Chengdu to meet him.
"I'm not very worried about him. He has been flying in the AF and Sichuan Airlines for many years. I really believe in his technology. His character is calm and steady." Zou Han pointed that he has flown every top plateau and high-high plateau route, including Lhasa, Daocheng, Kangding and other top plateau airports. As a flight instructor, he has done a lot of emergency training,including window shield bursting since his AF pilot career.
Liu Chuanjian exercises every day and runs in the community. "I joked, you don't have to go." He said that takes him to fly on the high plateau. Zou Han said he was lucky this time. "The aero chart shows that the aircraft is still near Chengdu. If the plane had entered the high-high plateau, it would be very difficult." Zou made her comments.
Sister Liu Chuanping said that their father was a worker in Chongqing cement factory and mother was a farmer. The family had two daughters and one son. When the elder uncle passed away so early, his parents brought up the three kids of the uncle's family. With six children in the family, the family burden was so heavy. Liu Chuanjian helped his parents since as a child. "The children who grew up in the countryside knew hard, so he cherished the career of the pilot." Sister Liu Chuanping said.
Born in 1972, Liu Chuanjian spent time of elementary school and junior high school in in this rural town. In Liu Chuanping's memory, her younger brother did homework so quickly and always got the top ranking. In the early 1990s, he was admitted to the AF flight academy. After graduated from the academy in 1995, Liu Chuanjian stayed in the school as the flight instructor for ten years, and then entered Sichuan Airlines. (My words: In China, only the best students can stay in school as teachers). Zou Han said that her husband was a simple man. No smoke, drink, play cards and majiang. He only drink tea, reading and do gardening at home.
Both husband and wife's careers are in the industry. There are two plane models on the side of TV in the living room. The bookcase is also full of Liu Chuanjian's notes and aviation books, such as "air transport services in the remote areas", "world aviation safety and accident analysis", and Chesley Sallenberg's "Highest Duty". "We both read carefully the Highest Duty." (my words: This book is translated into Chinese version by Mr. Yang, the retired director general of civil aviation administration. Mr. Yang is a senior chief pilot himself). Because of career, Zou has seen many plane-crash movies. As for the offical announcement that this landing is going to be made into a movie, "in my personal opinion, we still hope that there will be no heroes needed in China civil aviation." She made her comments. “We need more cautious and no small matter in the public safety”.
(Please forgive my poor English)
Last edited by shimin; 16th May 2018 at 01:20.
Only half a speed-brake

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 136
From: Commuting not home
The armored cockpit door has a large blow out panel exactly for this type of situation.
The provision for exactly this type of accident is implemented, however. To prevent overloading the frame, two cockpit pressure sensors are installed with inlets on the OVHD panel. They will release the latches for the door to swing open if pressure is lost in the flight deck.



