“survives flight to Hawaii in plane’s wheel well”
___________________________________________________
How is it possible, just considering the temperature at 36,000 ft.?
That’s crazy. He was passed out most of the way, apparently.
Air temp at 35,000 ft is -67F
“During World War II, most military flying was done in unpressurized aircraft at altitudes of between 20,000 and 25,000 feet. Most of the resulting anoxia deaths occurred in this altitude range.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 feet, collapse, unconsciousnes, and death quickly follow interruption of the oxygen supply.
Above 30,000 feet, unconsciousness and death strike rapidly and often without warning”
http://www.tpub.com/ase2/85.htm
“Process and Results
Two reported cases of high altitude flight by stow-aways are detailed (Havana, Cuba to Madrid) and from Bogota to Miami. The cruise altitudes of these flights were in the 35,000 foot region with stratospheric temperatures at the (-) 65F range. Despite the lack of pressurization, or personal O2 equipment, the presence of warm hydraulic lines in the wheel-well and the initially warm tires provided significant heat. The stable climb of the aircraft enabled hypoxia to lead to gradual unconsciousness. As the wheel-well environment slowly cooled, hypothermia accompanies the deep hypoxia, preserving nervous system viability. With descent, and warming, along with increasing atmospheric oxygen pressure, hypoxia and hypothermia slowly resolved. At the ramp, with individuals were found in a semi-conscious state, and, upon treatment, recovered. Approximately a dozen copycat attempts have been made in 1993 with fatalities.”
http://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/aeromedical/aircraftaccident/wheelwell/