Qantas

[blondini]

Explosive decompression is real, it just takes a big hole for it to happen but I think mythbusters were disproving a different scenario. i.e. Can a bullet cause explosive decompression?

The photos I've seen show a large section of presumably non pressurised outer skin has been completely lost, but there is a smaller hole behind it which has blown outwards from the pressurised hold. It does look like structural failure and there are reports in this mornings paper that corrosion was found in this area on this aircraft in March. The aitcraft was deliverd to Quantas in 1991...

 

[empip]

Explosive decompression.
I believe this is the term used when decompression happens in 0.1 sec or less (have seen 0.5sec).

Mythbusters asked the question... Can a bullet hole cause Explosive Decompression in an aircraft... they found it caused a normal decompression...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1_1l7M8FA
They used a final explosive based decompression - of course they did not have 400 knot plus slipstream to contend with...


Another - military test?? - big window -
See the info.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHGBQINW0B0

----------------------------------------
Not aircraft related - gruesome !!
A drop of around 8 atmospheres in the 'Byford Dolphin accident'
Shredded one diver... What price H & S ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byford_Dolphin

 

[empip]

Close up.
View media item 3234

 

[megawatt]

Whether or not a bullet could cause an ED would depend on where it struck.

If you shoot out a window for example an ED would definitely occur ... Centre of a large supported skin panel ... Probably not.

It all depends on the strength of the structure being compromised.

In this instance corrosion probably played a part.

I've heard that there is a possibility that an o2 bottle disintegrated causing the skin damage.

MW

 

[nickso]

did someone mention conveyor belts?

 

[megawatt]

Nope ... Just you I think.

 

[nickso]

Nope ... Just you I think.

my mistake, carry on.

 

[megawatt]

Thanks.

 

[Softus]

Qantas said to be the safest of airlines, this will be a black mark against them!

Maybe not. The plane was landed safely, and without loss of life - I find that quite reassuring.

 

[megawatt]

Indeed, people with a fear of flying should be reassured by incidents such as this as they highlight how much of a safety factor is built into modern aircraft.

Something tells me they won't be, however

MW