Comments on: NY plane crash: Don’t study the safety card

By: Alison Hetherington

Alison Hetherington — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Ben might also be able to shed light on how passengers get out of the small planes Rex uses on the Merimbula to Sydney route if they land in water. I caught one a few months ago and the only exit I could see had a sign saying not to open it if the plane landed in water.

By: Catherine Scott

Catherine Scott — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Bird strike? In 1995 my daughter, two nieces and I were on a plane that took off from Mascot heading for the US but which failed to proceed when something nasty happened to an engine. The captain gave bird strike as the cause. After a long grueling interval ditching fuel etc, said captain landed the aging, over-loaded 747 safely, to his credit. It seems that, despite the airline sticking to its story, that it was the aging, overloaded bit that was the issue, which apparently contributed to an oil line rupturing. Birds, shmirds.

Anyway, at least observing the whole drama allowed me to surmise some of the routines in place to deal with the risks associated with having a major international airport right in the middle of a large city. After the flash and bang the captain altered direction dramatically and took the crippled craft on a route that led along the harbour and straight out through the heads. I assumed this was to stop it going down in a heavily populated suburb.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Ben - a query? A number of us who were flying in the seventies and eighties with domestic airlines, Qantas and Alitalia cannot remember our emergency training associated with various aircraft: Fokker 27 and 28, Viscount 700 and 800, Electra’s to DC9’s and 727’s addressing the opening of rear doors during a ditching. As you know all of these aircraft have rear door exits/entries some with slides or ropes!! My gosh. Can we ask the airlines why they didn’t address obvious shortfalls in ditching emergency procedures?

By: Jenny Laws

Jenny Laws — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Well said Ben! As a former flight/training attendant in the early eighties with the now defunct Australian Airlines we were never advised the opening of rear doors on DC9’s or 727’s would be disastrous. I wonder why? Anyone who was around in that era might be able to shed some light on flight crew also being as much in the dark on safety as passengers.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Not sure when Ben last flew but every domestic flight I’ve taken in the last 5 years clearly says not to open the exit if there are hazards, including water or fire; the safety demonstration also says this.

The safety cards even have a picture of the door with a big red cross on it.

On Air Nuguini (sp?) a couple of years ago, I got an exit row and was asked to study the card, which included this information. I was then subjected to a 3-question test from the flight attendant!

So I think it’s *really* important to study the card, something Ben should probably do next time he’s on a junket.

By: greg in fort worth

greg in fort worth — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Must have been some great flying to prevent any slams from the nacelles nosing in or other effects. Kudos to Capt. C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger. He is indeed a hero.

In the big picture, don't forget the pilots and captains and passengers of the boats in the area. They got there quickly and provided aid and comfort.

People often step forward and help each other. I happens in extraordinary situations and in the ordinary we don't hear about as well.

By: mike smith

mike smith — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Rather curious, considering the talk they give to BlueZone (aka over wings seats) passengers on Virgin Blue about looking out window and *not* opening wing doors if there is smoke/fire/water there.

By: Yaka

Yaka — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

At least they float. Don’t talk to qantas pilots about how crap to fly are airbus. Glad they float.

By: Ben@Crikey

Ben@Crikey — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

Alison, I believe in the small types like the SAAB the idea is that you can escape throught the cockpit window. Not an encouraging thought. Even more troubling thought on high wing Dash 8s, because high wing designs sink much faster than low wing types.

Mike, The examination of how this incredibly successful ditching was made will tell us exactly what happened at the overwing exits which were clearly crucial. You raise a very interesting point.

By: gAry joHnSON

gAry joHnSON — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000

a flock of geese? pig’s arse!!! if dat pilot had died it would a been da pilot error….yawn))) anyfing but lack of maintenance.