'It was his last joyride': MH370 pilot was upset over wife moving

Daily Mail UK ^ | 26 March 2014 | Andrew Chesterton and Richard Shears and Nathan Klein and Ted Thornhill

[newbie 10-21-00]

Who knew a satellite could reach “orbit” at 200 miles??

[So Cal Rocket]

Who knew a satellite could reach “orbit” at 200 miles??

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbit the earth in the range of 180 - 1200 miles. ISS is orbiting at around 250 miles, IIRC.

[Maine Mariner]

Being skeptical is good when governments, any governments are involved.

[kjam22]

That is what I think too...

[The_Victor]

Because the pressure at 42k is about 15% that at sea level, it’s only about 15% more stress on the plane to remain pressurized in a vacuum. Which is nothing compared to safety margins. (Yes, I know that it’s not 1 ATM inside at 24k feet, but the principle still applies).

They're probably using a factor of safety of 1.1 on the pressure shell. That would be typical for the aerospace industry with load conditions well established. But your point is well taken that if the aircraft could maintain lift, the pressure shell will likely hold.

[kjam22]

Its a big world. If you got no idea where it is, or which hanger its in... its not that hard to hide it.

[kjam22]

Agreed..... if our satellite imagery is so good we should have some wonderful pictures of the debris allegedly floating in the indian ocean.

[editor-surveyor]

I’ve spent 9 hours in a 767 at over 50k ft several times.
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[editor-surveyor]

The BS doth flow!

[editor-surveyor]

This is a real dog and pony show.

[COUNTrecount]

Up hill.

[editor-surveyor]

Back in the old days when I used to do a lot of plan checking, I had a little joke form that I would send to engineers and architects that made grade mistakes.

It was titled “Request for Up-hill Water Flow Permit.”
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[kjam22]

It would be terrible to think that at 1 AM some pilot could just turn off the transponder and whatever else.... and then just fly the plane to any terrorist haven that he chose to.... and no one would have a clue where it went. You know?

[milford421]

One would think…..

[Gay State Conservative]

Filthy Rat Party donating lawyers here in the states are preparing huge lawsuits against....wait for it....BOEING for "design flaws" in the 777.

Deep pockets,baby...deep pockets.

[Atlas Sneezed]

They’re probably using a factor of safety of 1.1 on the pressure shell. That would be typical for the aerospace industry with load conditions well established. But your point is well taken that if the aircraft could maintain lift, the pressure shell will likely hold.

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Also keep in mind that the pressure differential need not even change as the aircraft goes from 49k to 50k, ambient drops from 19% of sea level to 11%. The pressure inside can drop by 8% (of 1 ATM) which means that the cabin pressure drops from an effective 10kft to 13kft (no big deal, with zero effect on the pressure stress on the AC.

[Uncle Chip]

Thanks — those are very informative.

[editor-surveyor]

Unfortunately it is true that the pilot can turn off everything that isn’t directly powered by the engine.

Everything that has a circuit breaker can be unpluged right behind the pilot’s head. It’s a fire control issue.
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[editor-surveyor]

Those lawyers will fail at that endeavor.

The ability to de-power all systems is a federally required safety feature.

Or if they mean having human pilots is a design flaw, rotsa ruck!
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[Vermont Lt]

They can vent the plane. The O2 that drops down is not pressurized. At 45000 ft you could not breath enough air in to live long. After 12 minutes you are dead.