Posted on 12/27/2005 6:34:42 PM PST by paulat
Hole found in Alaska plane
05:30 PM PST on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 KING5.com
Investigators: Problems spike after ramp work outsourced
SEATTLE – An Alaska Airlines plane was forced to return to Seattle Monday after a gash in the plane’s fuselage caused the aircraft to lose pressurization.
The incident began when a ramp worker hit the plane with a baggage cart or baggage belt machine, according to National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Jim Struhsaker.
The accident created a crease in the skin of the plane which opened up into a hole when the pressure on the plane changed at 26,000 feet.
The employee told the agency that although the vehicle had touched the plane, he was not aware that he had dented it.
“At that time in the driving rain it did not appear to be significant to him,” Stuhsaker said.
According to Alaska Airlines and accounts provided to KING 5 News by passengers, flight 536 took off from Sea-Tac at 3:50 p.m., bound for Burbank, Calif.
Alaska Airlines flight 536 was forced to return to Sea-Tac Monday after it lost cabin pressure. Passenger Jeremy Hermanns took this snapshot of the scene after the oxygen masks had dropped down.
About 10 or 20 minutes into the flight, there was a loud noise and the cabin lost pressure. The plane then descended rapidly before returning to Sea-Tac, said Caroline Boren, a spokeswoman for Alaska Airlines.
Passenger accounts of the incident paint a scary picture.
“I could feel that obviously my ears popping and that's not a good symbol and that didn't go away and then it got hard to breathe and then whoosh all the compression in the plane was lost. We totally decompressed,” said passenger Jeremy Hermanns.
He said everyone on board scrambled to get their masks on and then the engine noise became very loud.
“We knew that something was going on … it was definitely frightening. It wasn't something I wanted to do again,” he said.
Jeremy Hermanns shot this image of himself with his oxygen mask on after the plane he was on lost cabin pressure.
Hermann’s believes, nevertheless that the crew handled the situation well.
“I'm just very glad that the pilots and the crew and everybody handled it so well,” he said.
I agree... Like in my post. I am not suprised that this type of behavior is a result of that. It does lead to unreported incidences.
8^)
Yes, of course!
We just make up new titles for the new guys.
Ion is in charge of flying data and entertainment while Fierce is in charge of bull dozers and entertainment.
There is room for everyone in the "Fan Club"!
;-)
Guppy!
It's been a long time since we've seen the Pregnant Guppy!
I am not paying to join my sisters fan club. Well, no more than I already paid.
I am guarding the coolers full of beer, too. Busy here!
I was lucky enough to get to "ride" in the Chamber at Beale AFB a few years ago.
I was fine at 18K - able to do math problems and had dexterity in my hands, etc. But at 25K, I was goofy and probably would lose consciousness.
Interesting experience - if anyone gets a chance to try it.
That's entertainment!
;-)
I miss typed yesterday when I said I hadn't had my Grandson swimming yet. After mentioning our discussion to the wife, she reminded me that last July while she was out golfing, I put him in the pool out at the country club. Technically though, he didn't actually get to "swim", but he loved the water!
8^)
I think that baggage cart driver should lose his job over this. No excuses.
Like my Pop always said, "Son, there's no such thing as a free lunch". 'Course he also said, "Son, always remember this, them gals can run quicker with their skirts up, then you can with your pants down".
8^)
good start. You are quickly getting past the part where they can swim underwater instinctively. It's the funniest thing to see a tiny baby swim underwater.
I ALWAYS had a hand on their belly when doing so. no more than 5-10 seconds. Thye loved it and would giggle like crazy.
I pray it's at least a decade before I am a granddad. At least I will hit 40 grandchildless.
Agreed!
He was only suspended!
He should be fired - immediately!
I don't care what the Union says! He nearly killed people by his negligence!
Amateurs. I work our Washington Dulles operation where three different languages are spoken at all times on the ramp. In the run-up to Christmas, we had a belt loader put a nice dent near the aft cargo door on one of our planes resulting in a maintenece ferry to the manufacturer. Next, one of the fuelers tried driving under the right wing and took out the entire leading edge. Another carrier who operates the same contract that we do in Dulles, had an aircraft taken out of service for ramp damage in November that wont be back in service until Jan. Im against unions, but when mainline UAL, USAIRWAYS, and AA ground crews worked our flights, we never had the problems that we do now. Outsourcing airport work to foreigners who dont speak english is a recipe for disaster and a boon for our aircraft sheet metal contractors..
Mine always said "Git me another beeeer, boy!."
I missed that part - I can't believe it. If I hit a plane with a vehicle, I'd be sure to mention it to someone "just to be safe." What dolts.
DD,
While in the AF, we used to have to qualify annually in the alt. chamber. 25K is about where everyone starts acting goofy. After returning to sea level you get to review some of your written work. It's amazing how you deteriorate with oxygen deprivation, even when you thought you were doing well.
The chamber will also reveal things like dental problems. Sometimes a person will have neurotic/paranoid episodes during a ride and of course is cause for removal from flight status. Due to the imbalance of body pressure and ambient external pressure it is highly recommended to refrain from eating certain gas-producing food prior to the ride. LOL
I forget the tables since my ECS days, but isn't there like 2 minutes before unconsciousness at around 26,000msl? The crew had time to emergency drop, but a hole that large could have ripped larger. If it damaged a bulkhead, then hoooboy...
Whenever I hear of someone going to the chamber, I remind them to remember to fart.
LOL!!!
Yes, 25K - I was just an idiot.
Funny story... I was the only female in the chamber at the time and the guys on the other side were all trying to be macho - and stay off the oxygen - while they nearly passed out. I couldn't believe it. "What a lovely color blue you turned, sir." LOL!!
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