Cathay Pacific crew saw North Korean missile from plane, airline says

cnn ^

[BenLurkin]

Cathay said in a statement that it had been in contact with relevant authorities, industry bodies and other airlines about what was seen from Cathay Pacific flight 893, and at the moment there were no plans to change flight routes.

"Though the flight was far from the event location, the crew advised Japan ATC (Air Traffic Control) according to procedures. Operation remained normal and was not affected," the statement said.

...

On July 28, an Air France flight passed just east of the splashdown site of a missile test, roughly five to 10 minutes before the weapon hit the water. At the time of the splashdown, the flight was about 60 to 70 miles (95 to 112 kilometers) north of where the missile landed, according to a review of the data.

...

The chance of an unaimed missile striking a plane are "billions to one," according to CNN aviation safety analyst David Soucie.

But if a ballistic missile were to come close to a passenger jet, it would be nearly impossible for the crew to detect, a Hong Kong-based pilot told CNN in August in the aftermath of that missile test.

"You wouldn't even know it was coming," he said, speaking anonymously as he was not authorized by his employer to discuss sensitive matters.

[ClearCase_guy]

Watch out for sparks in your center fuel tank.

[BenLurkin]

Exactly

[stylin19a]

The chance of an unaimed missile striking a plane are "billions to one," according to CNN aviation safety analyst David Soucie.

at those odds, I'll take a 5 dollar flier on an opened ended bet.

[C210N]

Apparently, the pilot had his cell phone camera handy when this event happened...

[BenLurkin]

Nice.

[C210N]

It's understandable that Kim has been able to accomplish this feat. He's well practiced.

[Don Corleone]

Every launch now must be shot down. We can never be certain as to which one will be “The One”.

[Mariner]

I would like to at least see a picture of an ICBM erupting from the clouds at over 5,000 mph on it’s way to 15,000 mph.

[DaveArk]

One night in 1983, I had two students, each in his own plane (F-15) doing night intercept training. We went to middle of the training area (next to Mexican border west of Tucson). Split off one to the west and took one with me to the east. After a minute I looked to the west and saw a fire plume. Asked the student if he was in afterburner. He denied. Turned out it was a missile launch from Vandenburg that went south towards Mexico instead of southwest, they had to blow it up.

[Mariner]

Do you have any buddies still in service who are flying the F-35?

I am very interested in first-hand reports.

[DaveArk]

Negative, my class had it’s 40th reunion last year. It’s been a long time. :)

[OldMissileer]

I would like to at least see a picture of an ICBM erupting from the clouds at over 5,000 mph on it’s way to 15,000 mph.

Most ICBMs breaking through the tops of even the highest clouds are traveling a little over mach one.

[OldMissileer]

Turned out it was a missile launch from Vandenburg that went south towards Mexico instead of southwest, they had to blow it up.

If the missile was that far off course some heads must have rolled back at Vandyland. Of all the Range Safety Officers there is a Back Azimuth and Side Azimuth Officer that watch the flight VERY closely. They have video monitors with a line that indicates the proper flight trajectory and then another line on each side that indicates the maximum deflection the flight may have before it must be destroyed.

Heading towards Mexico meant the Side Az Officer really screwed the pooch.

[DaveArk]

Agreed. :)

[no-s]

Most ICBMs breaking through the tops of even the highest clouds are traveling a little over mach one.

ABMs OTOH...

[OldMissileer]

ABMs OTOH...

True, but ABMs are a totally different animal. They have to be fast out of the hole.